Cyanotis arachnoidea

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tonningia arachnodea
• Cyanotis lanata var. lanuginosa
• Tradescantia incana
• Tradescantia lanata
• Cyanotis bodinieri
• Cyanotis labordei

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Cyanotis arachnoidea, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Commelinales and the family Commelinaeaecae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Cyanotis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Cyanotis arachnoidea, exhibits a specific distribution across several nations in West Tropical Africa. Its presence is well-documented within the borders of Ghana and Guinea. Furthermore, the species can be found growing throughout the Ivory Coast. The plant also inhabits various regions within Liberia. Finally, its geographical range extends into Nigeria, completing its West African distribution.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cyanotis arachnoidea is characterized by its distribution across a significant altitudinal gradient, reflecting its adaptability to varying mountain environments. This species thrives within a broad elevational range that begins at a minimum altitude of 1240 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2700 m AMSL. The ecological niche of the plant centers around a mean elevation of 2700 m AMSL, suggesting a strong preference for high-altitude habitats where specific climatic conditions and soil compositions typical of these upper elevations are present. This vertical distribution indicates that the plant is well-suited to the distinct environmental pressures found in montane ecosystems, ranging from mid-elevation slopes to higher alpine or sub-alpine zones.

Elevational range max:

2700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1240 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Cyanotis arachnoidea is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy and survival mechanism, the species functions as a hemicryptophyte, meaning its perennial buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or soil during unfavorable conditions. This hemicryptophytic life form ensures its longevity and ability to regenerate, maintaining a stable presence within its ecological niche across varying environmental cycles.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cyanotis arachnoidea is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. The plant exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit rather than being an obligatory or facultative climber, and it maintains an independent existence as it is not a parasite. Growing as a terrestrial species, it does not function as an epiphyte. In terms of stature, it reaches a mean plant height of approximately 3.657644477 meters.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

3.657644477 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cyanotis arachnoidea is facilitated through the development of specialized fruiting structures that follow the pollination phase. The plant produces small, distinct fruits that exhibit a highly consistent morphology across various specimens. Based on morphological data, the fruit length is uniform, with a mean measurement of 0.25 cm. This consistency is reflected in the recorded range, where both the minimum and maximum fruit lengths are documented at exactly 0.25 cm. These minute fruits serve as the primary vehicle for seed dispersal, ensuring the continuation of the species within its ecological niche.

Fruit length max:

0.25 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cyanotis arachnoidea has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Cyanotis arachnoidea has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 14-deoxydacryhainansterone, 20-HYDROXYECDYSONE, 20E, 22-oxo-20-hydroxyecdysone, 22-oxodacryhainansterone.

14-deoxydacryhainansterone

1. Journal of natural products

20-HYDROXYECDYSONE

1. International journal of molecular sciences

20E

1. International journal of molecular sciences

22-oxo-20-hydroxyecdysone

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

22-oxodacryhainansterone

1. Journal of natural products

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Calonysterone

1. Journal of natural products

Daucosterol

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

cholesterol

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Conditions

Cyanotis arachnoidea has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include inflammation, oxidative stress.

Inflammation

1. Journal of natural products

Oxidative stress

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Cyanotis arachnoidea has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Root Extract, commercial C. arachnoidea extracts.

Root extract

1. Journal of natural products

Commercial c. arachnoidea extracts

1. Journal of natural products