St. John's bush

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• St. John's bush

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rhytiglossa lucida
• Rhacodiscus lucidus
• Ecbolium geniculatum
• Ecbolium lucidum
• Rhytiglossa secunda
• Rhacodiscus secundus
• Ecbolium secundum
• Dianthera secunda var. holtonii
• Sericographis caripensis
• Rhacodiscus moricandianus
• Rhytiglossa moricandiana
• Rhytiglossa geniculata
• Lustrinia geniculata
• Justicia caripensis
• Justicia secunda var. leucantha
• Justicia secunda
• Dianthera secunda var. geniculata
• Ecbolium orthotactus
• Ecbolium moricandianum
• Dianthera secunda var. lucida
• Dianthera lucida
• Amphiscopia ciliata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Acanthaceae, falling under the genus Dianthera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning both African and American continents. In West Tropical Africa, it can be found within the borders of Benin. Its presence extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, specifically documented in Gabon. Moving to the Americas, the species is located across several regions of Central America. Specifically, it inhabits the territories of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Panamá.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Dianthera secunda is characterized by its presence within the Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial), a humid tropical rainforest environment. This species demonstrates a broad altitudinal distribution, thriving across a diverse range of topographical gradients. Its elevational range extends from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 2100 m AMSL, allowing it to occupy various ecological niches within the moisture-rich strata of the rainforest.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Morphology

The morphology of Dianthera secunda is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, exhibiting a primarily terrestrial habit. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies, and does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, remaining firmly rooted in the soil rather than growing on other plants. In terms of its structural support, the plant is self-supporting, meaning it does not require a host or external structure to climb, such as a liana or vine, but instead maintains its own upright or spreading stature. While its habitat can span across various moisture gradients, its primary classification is terrestrial rather than aquatic or semiaquatic.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Dianthera secunda has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids.

Flavonoids

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Dianthera secunda has 3 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antiviral, Cytotoxic.

Anticancer

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiviral

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Cytotoxic

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Dianthera secunda has 7 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Methanol and acetone extracts, aqueous: macerated and infused, dichlorocthane, ethyl acetate, methanol.

Methanol and acetone extracts

1. The West Indian medical journal

Aqueous: macerated and infused

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Dichlorocthane

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Ethyl acetate

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Methanol

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Methanolic

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Water (infused)

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)