Enicostema axillare

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Xolemia axillaris

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Gentianaales and the family Gentianaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Enicostema.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions of the African continent. In Northeast Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in Ethiopia, Somalia, and throughout Sudan and South Sudan. Its presence extends further into East Tropical Africa as well. Specifically, the species is documented to inhabit the landscapes of Kenya. Finally, its range reaches into Tanzania, completing its distribution within these tropical zones.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Enicomstema axillare is characterized by its ability to thrive in diverse moisture regimes across specific landscape types. It is typically found inhabiting grasslands situated on well-drained gravel, yet it demonstrates significant adaptability by also colonizing moist or swampy sites within these same grassland environments. Additionally, the species extends its ecological range into sparse woodland areas, utilizing these varying microhabitats to establish itself across a spectrum of soil textures and hydration levels.

Habitat :

grassland on well-drained gravel, moist or swampy sites in grassland, sparse woodland

Life history

The life history of Enicostema axillare is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. While its survival strategy allows for long-term establishment in its natural habitat, its growth pattern can exhibit variable tendencies depending on environmental conditions and resource availability. As a perennial species, it undergoes various stages of vegetative development and reproductive cycles, often allowing it to reoccupy its ecological niche over several years, which distinguishes it from strictly annual or biennial species.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Enicomstema axillare is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. The plant is terrestrial in nature, functioning as an independent organism rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of its physical structure, it is a self-supporting species that does not function as a vine or liana. The plant exhibits a relatively low stature, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 0.3 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.35 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.3 m

Plant height mean:

0.35 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Enicostema axillare is characterized by its metabolic processes and nutritional strategies, which are primarily driven by its photosynthetic capacity and nutrient uptake mechanisms. As a member of the Gentianaceae family, its physiological functions are geared towards survival in specific tropical or subtropical environments, relying on soil-available nitrogen through root absorption rather than symbiotic associations. Regarding its ability to perform biological nitrogen fixation, the plant is classified as a non-nitrogen fixer; therefore, it does not possess the specialized root nodules or the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. Instead, its nitrogen requirements are met through the assimilation of nitrates and ammonium ions from the soil, a process essential for the synthesis of proteins, chlorophyll, and various secondary metabolites. This reliance on soil-based nitrogen dictates its physiological dependency on soil fertility and the presence of organic matter to sustain its growth and chemical complexity.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Enicostema axillare 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. Bioprocess and biosystems engineering

Chemicals

Enicostema axillare has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Swertiamarin.

Swertiamarin

1. Inflammation research : official journal of the European Histamine Research Society ... [et al.]
2. European journal of pharmaceutical sciences : official journal of the European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences
3. Inflammation
4. Journal of biochemical and molecular toxicology

Conditions

Enicostema axillare has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, cancer, inflammation, psoriasis.

Rheumatoid arthritis

1. Inflammation research : official journal of the European Histamine Research Society ... [et al.]

Asthma

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Cancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Inflammation

1. Inflammation research : official journal of the European Histamine Research Society ... [et al.]

Psoriasis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Rhinitis

1. African health sciences

Preparations

Enicostema axillare has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include herbal medicine, methanol extract.

Herbal medicine

1. Journal of biochemical and molecular toxicology

Methanol extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology