Prostrate Pastureweed

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Prostrate Pastureweed
• pastureweed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Achyranthes prostrata
• Pupalia prostrata
• Desmochaeta prostrata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Caryophyllales and is a representative of the family Amaranthaceae. Ultimately, its scientific identification is defined by the genus Cyathula.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is geographically distributed across several regions within West Tropical Africa. Specifically, it can be found growing in the nation of Benin. Its presence also extends to the territories of Burkina and Gambia. Furthermore, the species is documented to inhabit parts of Ghana. Finally, its range includes the coastal area of Guinea-Bissau.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cyathula prostata is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and a wide vertical distribution across varying landscapes. This species inhabits a broad range of ecosystems, spanning from human-modified environments (Área Antrópica) to distinct natural biomes including the Caatinga (strict sensu), Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (lato sensu), and the humid environments of the Ombrophilous Forest (Floresca Ombrófila/Pluvial). Its altitudinal tolerance is extensive, allowing it to thrive from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to high-altitude regions reaching 1900 m AMSL, demonstrating its capacity to colonize both lowland tropical habitats and montane ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Cyathula prostata is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural life form, the plant is identified as a therophyte, meaning it completes its seasonal development via seeds and typically survives unfavorable periods in a dormant seed state. This growth strategy is consistent with its categorization across various botanical life form scales, specifically functioning as a therophyte within the standard classifications of plant architecture.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cyathula prostata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This terrestrial plant is independent, meaning it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. It exhibits an ascending shoot orientation and is classified as a self-supporting climber rather than a vine or liana. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a mean height of 0.35 m, with individual specimens ranging from a minimum height of 0.3 m to a maximum height of 1 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.35 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Shoot orientation :

ascending

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cyathula prostrata is characterized by specific morphological dimensions and metabolic profiles that define its growth habit. The leaf structure exhibits significant variability in size, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 6 cm, while the leaf width spans from a minimum of 0.6 cm to a maximum of 3 cm. In terms of water storage and tissue composition, the plant does not exhibit succulence, indicating a reliance on standard hydration strategies rather than specialized water-storing parenchyma. Furthermore, the species lacks the physiological mechanism for nitrogen fixation, meaning it does not engage in symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms for its metabolic processes.

Leaf length max:

6 cm

Leaf length min:

1.5 cm

Leaf width max:

3 cm

Leaf width min:

0.6 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cyathula prostata is characterized by a flexible phenology, with the fruiting period being highly variable and capable of occurring across all months of the year, from January through December. The reproductive cycle involves flowers that exhibit a green coloration. Pollination is primarily mediated by bees, which serve as the key pollination syndrome for the species. Following successful fertilization, the plant employs a complex dispersal strategy; it is classified under the zoochorous syndrome, specifically utilizing epizoochory to facilitate the movement of its reproductive units.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

epizoochorous

Flower colour :

green

Fruiting time :

variable

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Cyathula prostrata has 3 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antiinflammatory, Antioxidant.

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiinflammatory

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Cyathula prostrata has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include inflammation, pain.

Inflammation

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Pain

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Cyathula prostrata has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanolic extract.

Methanolic extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology