Elytraria imbricata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cymburus squamosus
• Stachytarpheta squamosa
• Zappania squamosa
• Tubiflora squamosa
• Tubiflora pachystachya
• Justicia imbricata
• Verbena squamosa
• Elytraria frondosa
• Dicliptera ramentacea
• Elytraria microstachya
• Elytraria pachystachya
• Elytraria fasciculata
• Elytraria apargiifolia
• Elytraria caulescens
• Elytraria amara
• Elytraria ramosa
• Elytraria scorpioides
• Elytraria squamosa
• Elytraria tridentata var. caulescens
• Elytraria tridentata var. wrightii

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. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales, it is classified under the family Acanthaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Elytraria, specifically as the species Elytraria imbricata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse and wide-ranging geographical distribution across several distinct regions. In the Western Indian Ocean, it is notably found within Madagascar. Its presence extends into Indo-China, where it grows in Vietnam. Within the Malesia region, the species can be located in the Philippines. Finally, it reaches the Americas, appearing in the Southwestern United States in Arizona and the South-Central United States in New Mexico.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Elytraria imbricata is characterized by its broad adaptability across diverse Brazilian biomes, including the Caatinga (stricto sensu), Cerrado (latto sensu), Floresta Estacional Decidual, and Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial). This species exhibits a significant vertical distribution, occupying a wide altitudinal gradient that spans from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to elevations of 2000 m AMSL. This expansive range allows the plant to thrive in varied environmental conditions, from the semi-arid landscapes of the Caatinga to the more humid environments of seasonal and ombrophilous forests.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Elytraria imbricata is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a perennial plant, it avoids the complete die-back associated with annuals, instead maintaining a continuous presence through established root systems or rhizomes that facilitate regrowth. This long-lived life cycle enables the plant to adapt to seasonal fluctuations and establish a stable foothold within its ecological niche, contributing to its ability to recover from periodic disturbances.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Elytraria imbricaata is characterized by a growth form classified as a non-woody herb or forb, typically reaching a mean plant height of approximately 0.3 m. This plant is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of its structural habit, it is a self-supporting species, lacking the climbing mechanisms of a liana or vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Elytraaria imbricata is characterized by complex metabolic pathways that support its growth in diverse ecological niches, though it does not function as a nitrogen fixer. Unlike many members of the Fabaceae family that form symbiotic relationships with Rhizobium bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, this species lacks the specific physiological mechanisms or root nodule formations required for biological nitrogen fixation; therefore, its nitrogen-fixation status is categorized as no. Instead, the plant relies on the uptake of mineral nitrogen, such as nitrates and ammonium, directly from the soil through its root system. Its physiological processes are centered around efficient photosynthetic activity and nutrient assimilation, utilizing specialized enzymatic actions to facilitate carbon fixation and the synthesis of secondary metabolites, which contribute to its medicinal properties.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Elytraria imbricaata is characterized by a highly versatile dispersal strategy and extremely minute seed morphology. The plant exhibits an unspecialized dispersal syndrome, utilizing a combination of anemochory (wind dispersal), zoochory (animal dispersal), autochory (self-dispersal), and hydrochory (water dispersal) to colonize various environments. The seeds produced are exceptionally lightweight, maintaining a consistent and uniform seed mass with a mean, maximum, and minimum value all recorded at 7e-05 g. This minimal seed mass facilitates its multi-modal dispersal capabilities, allowing the species to spread effectively across diverse ecological niches through both physical and biological vectors.

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Seed mass mean:

7e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Elytraria imbricata has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CA, CU, FE, MG, ZN.

CA

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

CU

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

FE

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

MG

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

ZN

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Conditions

Elytraria imbricata has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include neurological disorders.

Neurological disorders

1. Journal of natural medicines

Preparations

Elytraria imbricata has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include shoots.

Shoots

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)