Dicliptera paniculata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Justicia bicalyculata
• Peristrophe paniculata
• Peristrophe bicalyculata
• Dicliptera paniculata var. subaequibracteata
• Dianthera bicalyculata
• Dianthera rugosa
• Peristrophe bicalyculata var. subaequibracteata
• Justicia ligulata
• Peristrophe doriae
• Peristrophe dewevrei
• Dianthera bifida
• Dicliptera bicalyculata
• Peristrophe paniculata var. subaequibracteata
• Peristrophe bicalyculata var. rivinoides
• Dicliptera paniculata var. rivinoides
• Peristrophe kotschyana
• Peristrophe schimperiana
• Peristrophe pilosa
• Justicia ruderalis
• Justicia malabarica

Sources: Wikidata

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 further organized into the order Lamiales and the family Acanthaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Dicliptera, specifically as the species Dicliptera paniculata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning across several distinct regions. In Northern Africa, its presence is specifically recorded in Egypt. Its range extends to the Macaronesian islands, where it can be found in Cape Verde. Furthermore, the species is located within West Tropical Africa, including countries such as Benin and Burkina. Additionally, its distribution continues through the West Tropical African nation of Gambia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Dicliptera paniculata is characterized by a specific altitudinal niche, as the species is predominantly found within a narrow elevational band. It thrives in habitats situated between an elevation of 850 m AMSL and a maximum of 915 m AMSL. This restricted vertical distribution suggests that the plant is adapted to the particular microclimatic conditions, such as temperature regimes, humidity levels, and atmospheric pressure, found exclusively within this specific montane or sub-montane range.

Elevational range max:

915 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

850 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Dicliptera paniculata is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, meaning it completes its entire developmental cycle—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. In terms of its growth habit and survival strategy, the species functions as a therophyte, a life form that survives unfavorable environmental conditions by existing as ephemeral seeds, which then germinate to produce a temporary vegetative structure during favorable periods. This classification as a therophyte is consistent across both its primary and secondary life form descriptors, indicating a strategy focused on rapid seasonal growth and efficient reproduction before the onset of dormancy.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Dicliptera paniculata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This plant is primarily terrestrial in its habitat, rather than aquatic or semiaquatic, and it functions as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. It maintains a self-supporting growth habit, functioning as a self-supporting herb rather than an obligatory or facultative vine or liana. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits a height ranging from a minimum of 0.5 meters to a maximum of 2 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

Reproduction in Dicliptera paniculata is primarily facilitated through the production of seeds, which exhibit specific morphological and mass characteristics essential to its life cycle. The reproductive success of the species is closely tied to its seed metrics, which show a relatively consistent range of weight. The mean seed mass for this plant is recorded at 0.00105 g, providing a baseline for its reproductive investment. However, there is slight variability in individual seed size, with the maximum recorded seed mass reaching 0.00124 g and the minimum seed mass dropping to 0.00086 g. This narrow range of seed mass suggests a standardized reproductive strategy aimed at optimizing dispersal and establishment within its natural habitat.

Seed mass max:

0.00124 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00105 g

Seed mass min:

0.00086 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Dicliptera paniculata has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 35-hydroxynonatriacontanal.

35-hydroxynonatriacontanal

1. Fitoterapia