Inula graveolens

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• stinking fleabane
• stinkweed
• stinkwort
• Cape khakiweed
• camphor inula
• stinking-fleabane

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Conyza minor
• Erigeron graveolens
• Helenium graveolens
• Inula brahuica
• Inula graveolens
• Pulicaria graveolens
• Alunia graveolens
• Inula quadridentata
• Solidago graveolens
• Paniopsis graveolens
• Cupularia graveolens

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. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Asterales and falls into the family Asteraceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Dittrichia, specifically as the species Dittrichia graveolens.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across various regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be specifically noted within Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, it is commonly found throughout the landscapes of Germany and the Netherlands. The species also inhabits the central territories of Austria. Furthermore, its range extends into the regions of Czechia and Slovakia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Dittrichia graveolens is characterized by its preference for lowland environments, where it thrives in diverse open landscapes. It occupies a specific altitudinal niche, with its distribution spanning an elevational range from a minimum of 15 m AMSL to a maximum of 800 m AMSL. This range indicates its capacity to adapt to various low-altitude terrains, typically favoring disturbed sites, ruderal habitats, or sunny, open areas within these elevations.

Elevational range max:

800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

15 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Life history

The life history of Dittrichia graveolens is characterized by its classification as a therophyte, meaning it completes its entire life cycle within a single growing season. As an annual species, it follows a rapid developmental trajectory from germination to seed production before the onset of unfavorable conditions. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as it concludes its seasonal cycle. This life strategy allows it to thrive in disturbed or open habitats by utilizing a transient existence, relying on a prolific seed bank to ensure survival and colonization in subsequent seasons.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Dittrichia graveolens is characterized by a growth form classified as both a herb and a forb, functioning as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber or liana. It is an independent species, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic lifestyle, and maintains a terrestrial existence, being neither aquatic nor semiaquatic. The plant's structure is non-woody in nature, typically reaching a height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum 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 min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Dittrichia graveolens is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. Morphologically, the plant exhibits specific leaf dimensions that influence its surface area for gas exchange and light absorption; the leaf length typically ranges from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 7 cm, while the leaf width varies between a minimum of 0.1 cm and a maximum of 0.8 cm, with a mean leaf width of approximately 0.6 cm. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil rather than through symbiotic biological nitrogen fixation.

Leaf length max:

7 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf width max:

0.8 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.6 cm

Leaf width min:

0.1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Dittrichia graveolens is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering period that begins in July and concludes in September. The plant produces fruits classified as achenes, which are indehiscent in nature. These fruits have an average length of 0.2 cm. The seeds contained within the fruit are highly uniform in size, with a consistent length of 2 mm (ranging from a minimum of 2 mm to a maximum of 2 mm). The seed mass is quite small, with a mean weight of 0.0003675 g, though individual seeds may weigh as little as 0.00021 g or as much as 0.00046 g. For the spread of its progeny, the plant utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on wind to transport its seeds across the landscape.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit length mean:

0.2 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Seed length mean:

2 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00046 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0003675 g

Seed mass min:

0.00021 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Dittrichia graveolens 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 root.

Root

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Chemicals

Dittrichia graveolens has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Borneol, 4-epi-isoinuviscolide, 8-epi-Helenalin, BORNYL ACETATE, Bigelovin.

Borneol

1. Chemistry & biodiversity
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

4-epi-isoinuviscolide

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

8-epi-Helenalin

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

BORNYL ACETATE

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Bigelovin

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Caryophyllene oxide

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Inuviscolide

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Neryl isovalerate

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Thymol isobutyrate

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Tomentosin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Dittrichia graveolens has 7 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Anticholinesterase, Antifungal, Antiinflammatory, Antioxidant.

Antimicrobial

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Anticholinesterase

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antifungal

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiinflammatory

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antipyretic

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Antitumor

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Dittrichia graveolens has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include anticholinesterase, antioxidant, antipyretic.

Anticholinesterase

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antipyretic

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Preparations

Dittrichia graveolens has 4 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aerial parts oil, essential oil from aerial parts, essential oils extracted from roots, roots essential oil.

Aerial parts oil

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Essential oil from aerial parts

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Essential oils extracted from roots

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Roots essential oil

1. Chemistry & biodiversity