Red thumb

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Maltese-mushroom
• scarlet synomorium
• Maltese Fungus
• Maltese mushroom
• Red Thumb
• desert thumb

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is positioned in the order Saxifrages and falls under the family Cynomoriaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Cynomorium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern concentrated within the Mediterranean region of Southwestern Europe. Its presence is documented across several key island territories, including the Baleares, Corse, and Sardegna. Beyond these islands, it can also be found on the mainland portions of the Iberian Peninsula. Specifically, its range extends through the countries of Portugal and Spain. Consequently, the geographical footprint of Cynomorium coccineum is defined by these distinct coastal and island habitats.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cynomorium coccineum is characterized by its preference for specific topographical and vegetative environments, primarily flourishing within shrubberies. It occupies a broad altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level at 0 m AMSL up to a maximum elevation of 500 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range centered around 1000 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Cynomorium coccineum is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, it functions as a geophyte, relying on underground storage organs to survive unfavorable conditions. This specialized life form further categorizes the species as a cryptophyte, as its vital regenerative parts are protected beneath the soil surface, ensuring its long-term survival and ability to emerge periodically to produce its distinctive reproductive structures.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cynomorium coccineum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb that lacks traditional green foliage. It is a terrestrial plant that functions as an obligatory parasite, meaning it relies entirely on host plants for its nutrients. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.09 m to a maximum of 0.3 m. Despite its small scale, the plant is self-supporting and does not exhibit climbing, vine, or liana-like tendencies. Furthermore, it is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, showing no epiphyte or aquatic characteristics.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

obligatory

Plant height max:

0.3 m

Plant height min:

0.09 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cynomorium coccineum is characterized by highly specialized morphological adaptations suited for its parasitic lifestyle, particularly evident in its reduced vegetative structures. The plant lacks true functional leaves for photosynthesis, instead possessing vestigial, scale-like leaf forms that serve to minimize water loss and reduce metabolic demand. These scale-like leaves are quite diminutive, with individual leaf lengths typically ranging between a minimum of 0.5 cm and a maximum of 0.6 cm. Furthermore, the structural dimensions of these leaves are extremely narrow, exhibiting a maximum leaf width of only 0.4 cm. This reduction in leaf surface area reflects the plant's physiological reliance on its host for nutrients and moisture, prioritizing the development of its reproductive structures over traditional foliar photosynthetic apparatus.

Leaf form :

scale-like

Leaf length max:

0.6 cm

Leaf length min:

0.5 cm

Leaf width max:

0.4 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cynomorium coccineum is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and the production of minute seeds. The flowering period typically begins in February and extends through July, though the timing can be variable across different months. During this stage, the plant produces inflorescences that range in length from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 0.1 m, featuring flowers that are distinctively brown in colour. Following pollination, the plant produces very small seeds with a mean mass of 0.000775 g; these seeds exhibit slight variations in weight, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.00068 g to a maximum of 0.00087 g.

Flower colour :

brown

Flowering time :

Feb

Flowering time :

Jul

Inflorescence length max:

0.1 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.05 m

Seed mass max:

0.00087 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000775 g

Seed mass min:

0.00068 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cynomorium coccineum has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Gallic acid, Cyanidin 3-O-glucoside, FSH, LH.

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Chemistry & biodiversity

Gallic acid

1. Chemistry & biodiversity
2. Nutrients

Cyanidin 3-O-glucoside

1. Nutrients

FSH

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

LH

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Steroids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Terpenoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

polyphenols

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Activities

Cynomorium coccineum has 5 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Anticarcinogenic, Antihypertensive, Antiviral, Cardioprotective.

Anticancer

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Anticarcinogenic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antihypertensive

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiviral

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cardioprotective

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Cynomorium coccineum has 11 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, antihypertensive, colic, hepatocellular carcinoma, impotence.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations