Emilia sonchifolia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cacalia sonchifolia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, situated within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Finally, the medicinal species is identified by its genus name, Emilia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Emilia sonchiifolia, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented in several key countries, starting with Benin. It can also be found growing within the borders of Guinea-Bissau and Guinea. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the Ivory Coast. Finally, its geographical footprint includes the territory of Nigeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Emilia sonchiifolia is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and varied topographical gradients. It occupies a broad range of habitats, demonstrating a high capacity for colonization in both natural and human-altered landscapes; its typical ecosystems include the Caatinga (strictu sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Campo Rupestre, Restinga, Seasonal Semi-deciduous Forests, and Coastal or Gallery Forests, as well as Anthropogenic Areas. This versatility is further reflected in its significant altitudinal distribution, which spans from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 2100 m AMSL, maintaining an average elevation of approximately 1450 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1450 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Restinga

Genetics

The genetics of Emilia sonchiifolia are characterized by a specific chromosomal arrangement that defines its cellular structure and reproductive biology. The plant possesses a chromosome number of 10, which serves as a fundamental component of its karyotype. Furthermore, this species exhibits a diploid ploidy level of 2, indicating that its somatic cells contain two complete sets of chromosomes. This genetic configuration provides the underlying framework for its inheritance patterns and evolutionary stability within its taxonomic group.

Chromosome number :

10

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Emilia sonchiifolia is characterized by its classification as an annual species, meaning it completes its entire biological cycle—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. As a therophyte, its survival strategy relies on completing its development rapidly to exploit favorable environmental conditions before the onset of unfavorable periods. This life form dictates that the plant survives unfavorable seasons primarily in the form of seeds, which remain dormant in the soil until triggered by appropriate moisture and temperature levels. By functioning as a therophyte, the plant avoids the need to maintain complex perennial structures, instead focusing its energetic resources on swift vegetative growth and prolific reproductive output to ensure the next generation.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Emilia sonchiifolia is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, primarily existing as a self-supporting plant. It is a terrestrial species that functions independently, showing no parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits a variable height, with measurements ranging from a minimum of 0 m to a maximum of 0.9 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.352 m. Because it is non-woody and self-supporting, it does not exhibit climbing behaviors such as liana or vine growth.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.9 m

Plant height mean:

0.352401853 m

Plant height min:

0 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Emilia sonchiifolia is characterized by specific morphological parameters and metabolic traits that define its structural growth. The leaves exhibit significant variability in dimension, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 14 cm, while the width of the foliage spans from 0.8 cm to 6 cm. In terms of water storage and tissue composition, the plant does not exhibit succulence, indicating a standard non-succulent leaf structure for its moisture management. Furthermore, from a nutrient cycling perspective, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on external soil nitrogen availability rather than symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria to fulfill its nutritional requirements.

Leaf length max:

14 cm

Leaf length min:

1.5 cm

Leaf width max:

6 cm

Leaf width min:

0.8 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Emilia sonchiifolia is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and specialized pollination and dispersal mechanisms. The plant typically undergoes its flowering period starting in August and concluding in September. During this stage, it produces violet-colored flowers that utilize a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate fertilization. The plant is capable of self-fertilization, ensuring reproductive success. Following pollination, it develops small fruits classified as achenes. These fruits are indehiscent in nature, with a mean length of 0.35 cm (ranging from a minimum of 0.3 cm to a maximum of 0.4 cm) and a maximum width of 0.05 cm. For the propagation of the species, the plant employs an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning the seeds are dispersed by the wind.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flower colour :

violet

Flowering time :

Aug

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit length max:

0.4 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.35 cm

Fruit length min:

0.3 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Fruit width max:

0.05 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Emilia sonchifolia 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Emilia sonchifolia has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (E)-Caryophyllene, 2-(1,4-dihydroxy-cyclohexanyl)-acetic acid.

(E)-Caryophyllene

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

2-(1,4-dihydroxy-cyclohexanyl)-acetic acid

1. Natural product research

Activities

Emilia sonchifolia has 4 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antioxidant, Antitumor, Neuroprotective.

Analgesic

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antioxidant

1. Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources

Antitumor

1. Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources

Neuroprotective

1. Fitoterapia

Conditions

Emilia sonchifolia has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antioxidant, colorectal cancer, cough, dysentery, inflammation.

Antioxidant

1. Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources

Colorectal cancer

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Cough

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Dysentery

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Inflammation

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Rheumatism

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Wound healing

1. Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources

Preparations

Emilia sonchifolia has 7 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 90% ethanolic extract, Emilia sonchifolia extract, EsHE, ethanol extracts from aerial parts, hydroethanolic extract.

90% ethanolic extract

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Emilia sonchifolia extract

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Eshe

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ethanol extracts from aerial parts

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Hydroethanolic extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Methanolic esw

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Methanolic extract

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology