White Snow

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• White Snow
• West Indian chickweed
• drymaria
• tropical chickweed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Stellaria adenophora
• Cerastium cordatum
• Cerastium cordifolium
• Loeflingia renifolia
• Stellaria rotundifolia
• Drymaria cordata var. diandra
• Drymaria cordata var. pacifica
• Drymaria cordata var. puberula
• Drymaria adenophora
• Holosteum cordatum
• Drymaria procumbens
• Holosteum diandrum
• Drymaria sessilifolia

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Drymaria cordata, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Caryophyllales. Finally, it is a member of the family Caryophyllaceae and falls under the genus Drymaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Drymaria cordata, exhibits a specific distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented within the borders of Guinea, where it thrives in local ecosystems. The species is also found spreading through the coastal and inland areas of Ivory Coast. Furthermore, its range extends into the tropical landscapes of Liberia and Sierra Leone. Finally, the geographical reach of this medicinal plant includes the expansive territory of Nigeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Drymaria cordata is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and a broad altitudinal distribution. This species thrives across an expansive elevational range, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to high-altitude regions reaching 4300 m AMSL. Its habitat preferences are exceptionally varied, allowing it to colonize a multitude of ecosystems. It is frequently found in anthropized areas (Área Antrópica) and open landscapes such as Campo de Altitude, Campo de Várzea, and Campo Limpo. Furthermore, it integrates into complex forest structures, including Floresta Ciliar or Galeria, Floresta de Igapó, Floresta de Várzea, Floresta Ombrófila (Rainforest), and Floresta Ombrófila Mista, as well as specialized coastal environments like Restinga.

Elevational range max:

4300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Campo de Altitude, Campo de Várzea, Campo Limpo, Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Igapó, Floresta de Várzea, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila Mista, Restinga

Genetics

The genetics of Drymaria cordata are characterized by a complex chromosomal structure that suggests evolutionary processes such as polyploidy or hybridization. The plant exhibits varying chromosome numbers, specifically documented at 24 and 36, which indicates significant genomic diversity within the species. This variation in the diploid or polyploid sets suggests a flexible genetic makeup that may contribute to its ability to adapt to diverse environmental conditions. Such chromosomal fluctuations are central to the plant's cytogenetic profile, reflecting a dynamic genome that plays a crucial role in its reproductive biology and evolutionary lineage.

Chromosome number :

24, 36

Life history

The life history of Drymaria cordata is characterized by a variable lifecycle, as it can function as an annual, biennial, or perennial plant depending on environmental conditions and habitat stability. This flexibility allows the species to adapt to diverse ecological niches, ranging from disturbed soils to more stable, moist environments. The plant typically begins its life through seed germination, often colonizing open spaces where light is available. As it matures, it develops a low-growing, creeping habit, utilizing stolons or rhizomes to spread vegetatively, which assists in both rapid colonization and long-term persistence. Throughout its life, the plant undergoes seasonal growth cycles, producing small flowers that facilitate sexual reproduction via seed dispersal, while its ability to transition between different lifecycle durations ensures its survival across fluctuating seasonal patterns.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Drymaria cordata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This terrestrial plant is independent, functioning without a parasitic relationship, and it grows as a self-supporting species rather than as a liana or vine. In terms of its stature, the plant typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 0.25 m to a maximum of 1.5 m, with an average plant height of approximately 1 m. As a terrestrial organism, it does not exhibit epiphytic or aquatic habits, maintaining a consistent growth pattern suited for land-based environments.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.25 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Drymaria cordata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a standard carbon fixation process typical of many shade-loving herbaceous plants. The morphological dimensions of its foliage reflect a specific physiological scale, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 2.5 cm, while leaf widths vary between 0.5 cm and 3 cm. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the availability of nitrogen within the soil rather than through symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria.

Leaf length max:

2.5 cm

Leaf length min:

0.5 cm

Leaf width max:

3 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Drymaria cordata is characterized by the production of small capsules, which serve as the primary fruit type. These fruits are dehiscent, meaning they split open at maturity to release the seeds. The fruit dimensions are relatively minute, ranging from a minimum length of 0.15 cm to a maximum of 0.25 cm. The seeds produced within these capsules are characterized by a seed length that varies between 1 mm and 1.5 mm. In terms of mass, the seeds are extremely lightweight, maintaining a consistent mean, minimum, and maximum seed mass of 0.00019 g. The dispersal syndrome for this species is classified as unspecialized, suggesting that the seeds are spread through general environmental processes rather than highly specific biological or mechanical vectors.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Fruit length max:

0.25 cm

Fruit length min:

0.15 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Seed length max:

1.5 mm

Seed length min:

1 mm

Seed mass mean:

0.00019 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Drymaria cordata has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, -Spinasterol, HELIOTRINE, STIGMASTEROL, Terpenoids.

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Phytochemistry

-Spinasterol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

HELIOTRINE

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

STIGMASTEROL

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Terpenoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

p-coumaric acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Drymaria cordata has 9 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antidepressant, Antidiabetic, Antimalarial.

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antibacterial

1. ACS applied bio materials

Antidepressant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antidiabetic

1. ACS applied bio materials

Antimalarial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. ACS applied bio materials

Antitussive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anxiolytic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Neuroprotective

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Drymaria cordata has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include bacteria, bronchitis, cancer, convulsions, cough.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations