Cynoglossum lanceolatum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata

Distribution

This plant, known as Cynoglossum lanceolatum, exhibits a specific distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing naturally within the borders of Benin. Additionally, the species is documented to inhabit parts of Ghana and Guinea. Its presence also extends to the coastal and inland areas of the Ivory Coast. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal plant includes the nation of Liberia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cynoglossum lanceolatum is characterized by a vast altitudinal distribution that spans from lowland coastal areas to high-altitude montane environments. The species exhibits remarkable ecological plasticity, occupying a broad elevational range that begins at a minimum of 5 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 3100 m AMSL. This wide vertical gradient suggests an ability to adapt to diverse climatic conditions, varying temperature regimes, and differing levels of atmospheric pressure. On average, the plant thrives at a mean elevation of 1550 m AMSL, indicating that its optimal ecological niche is situated within mid-elevation habitats, though its presence across such a significant topographical spectrum allows it to persist in a variety of specialized mountain and valley ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

3100 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1550 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

5 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Cynoglossum lanceolatum is characterized by a biennial lifecycle, meaning it typically completes its developmental stages over a period of two years, often focusing on vegetative growth in the first year followed by flowering and seed production in the second. In terms of its structural growth habit and survival strategy, the species is classified as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at or near the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or the substrate during unfavorable environmental conditions.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

biennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cynoglossum lanceolatum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, exhibiting a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a liana or vine. As a terrestrial plant, it is independent in its nutritional requirements, functioning neither as a parasite nor as an epiphyte. The plant displays significant variation in its stature, with a minimum height of 0.2 m, a mean height of approximately 0.85 m, and a maximum height reaching up to 1.828822238 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.828822238 m

Plant height mean:

0.85 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological profile of Cynoglossum lanceolatum is characterized by its specific metabolic and morphological adaptations. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway for carbon fixation, which dictates its energy production efficiency and environmental requirements. Morphologically, its foliage displays significant variation in dimensions, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 8 cm to a maximum of 14 cm, maintaining a mean length of 11 cm. The leaf width is similarly variable, spanning from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 3 cm, with an average width of 2 cm. Furthermore, the species does not possess the physiological capability for nitrogen fixation, relying instead on external nutrient availability within the soil to support its growth and development.

Leaf length max:

14 cm

Leaf length mean:

11 cm

Leaf length min:

8 cm

Leaf width max:

3 cm

Leaf width mean:

2 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cynoglossum lanceolatum is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and precise morphological dimensions of its reproductive structures. The flowering period typically commences in June and extends through July, though the timing can remain variable across different cycles. Following pollination, the plant develops small fruits that exhibit a mean length of 0.225 cm, ranging from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 0.25 cm. The resulting seeds show significant variation in mass; while the average seed mass is approximately 0.0071 g, individual seeds can vary from a minimum of 0.00061 g to a maximum of 0.01913 g.

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit length max:

0.25 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.225 cm

Fruit length min:

0.2 cm

Seed mass max:

0.01913 g

Seed mass mean:

0.007106667 g

Seed mass min:

0.00061 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cynoglossum lanceolatum 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine

Conditions

Cynoglossum lanceolatum has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include kidney disease.

Kidney disease

1. Scientific reports