Argentine fleabane

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Argentine fleabane
• flax-leaf fleabane
• wavy-leaf fleabane
• Flax-leaved Horseweed
• Flaxleaf Fleabane
• Flaxleaf Horseweed
• Wavy Leaved Fleabane
• hairy horseweed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Marsea bonariensis
• Conyzella linifolia
• Erigeron bonariensis f. grisea
• Conyza plebeia
• Conyza linearis
• Erigeron crispus
• Conyza leucodasys
• Conyza crispa
• Conyza hispida
• Dimorphanthes hispida
• Dimorphanthes linifolia
• Erigeron gusalakensis
• Erigeron linearifolius
• Erigeron linifolius
• Erigeron looseri
• Erigeron transsilvanicus
• Erigeron sordidus
• Conyza chenopodioides
• Conyza sinuata
• Leptilon bonariense
• Leptilon linifolium
• Conyza bonariensis
• Conyza sordescens
• Pulicaria rufescens
• Dimorphanthes angustifolia
• Dimorphanthes crispa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific range of occurrence across several European regions. In Northern Europe, its presence is noted within Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, it can be found distributed across Austria and Belgium. The plant also inhabits much of Germany. Finally, its geographical reach extends into the Netherlands.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Erigeron bonarienensis is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution and high habitat plasticity, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) to a maximum elevation of 3,900 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range of approximately 1,130 m AMSL. This species demonstrates a remarkable ability to colonize diverse ecosystems, thriving in varied environments including Anthropogenic Areas (Área Antrópica), Open Fields (Campo Limpo), and the Cerrado (latu sensu). Furthermore, it is found within complex forest structures such as Ombrophilous Forests (Floresta Ombrófila, including both rain forests and mixed ombrophilous forests), as well as coastal Restinga ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

3900 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1130 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Campo Limpo, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila Mista, Restinga

Genetics

The genetics of Erigeron bonarienis are characterized by a complex and variable karyotype, exhibiting significant chromosomal polymorphism across different populations or accessions. This species demonstrates a wide range of ploidy levels, as evidenced by its diverse chromosome numbers, which include 18, 26, 32, 36, and 54. Such high variability in chromosome counts suggests a history of polyploidization events and chromosomal rearrangements, which are common drivers of evolutionary divergence and adaptation within the Asteraceae family. These fluctuations in genome size and number play a critical role in the plant's genetic architecture, influencing its reproductive strategies and its ability to colonize varied ecological niches.

Chromosome number :

18, 26, 32, 36, 54

Life history

The life history of Erigeron bonarienis is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, its life form is defined by an ephemeral existence where the plant survives the unfavorable seasons primarily in the form of seeds, lacking any persistent above-ground or underground structures. The deciduousness of this species is considered variable, reflecting its transient nature as it grows and withers according to seasonal availability. This specific combination of traits ensures that the plant rapidly occupies available niches, utilizing its therophytic strategy to maximize reproductive output before the onset of environmental stress.

Deciduousness :

variable

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Erigeron bonarienis is characterized by a growth form classified as a non-woody herb and forb. It is a terrestrial, independent plant that does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting rather than being a climber, liana, or vine, and it maintains an erect shoot orientation. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant variation in plant height, ranging from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 2 m, with an average height of approximately 1 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Erigeron bonarienis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. Its vegetative structure features an alternate leaf arrangement, with leaf morphology described as elliptic in form. The leaves exhibit significant dimensional variation, with a mean length of 5 cm, ranging from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 9 cm, while the width shows a mean of 0.575 cm, ranging from a minimum of 0.15 cm to a maximum of 15 cm. Regarding water and nutrient management, the plant does not exhibit succulence, maintaining standard tissue hydration rather than specialized water-storage cells, and it lacks the physiological capacity to act as a nitrogen fixer.

Leaf arrangement :

alternate

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

9 cm

Leaf length mean:

5 cm

Leaf length min:

2.5 cm

Leaf width max:

15 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.575 cm

Leaf width min:

0.15 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Erigeron bonarienis is primarily sexual, characterized by bisexual flowers that facilitate genetic exchange. The flowering period typically begins in April and extends through August, featuring green flowers that utilize a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects for pollination. Self-fertilization is absent in this species, emphasizing the importance of cross-pollination. Following fertilization, the plant produces indehiscent fruits categorized as achenes. These fruits vary in length, with a mean measurement of 0.175 cm, ranging from a minimum of 0.1 cm to a maximum of 0.5 cm. The reproductive output is high, as each fruit can contain more than 1,000 seeds. These seeds are quite small, with a mean mass of approximately 9.53e-05 g, a minimum of 4e-05 g, and a maximum of 0.00014 g. For dispersal, the plant employs an anemochorous syndrome, utilizing wind to distribute its numerous seeds across the environment. Asexual reproduction is absent in this species.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flower colour :

green

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

0.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.175 cm

Fruit length min:

0.1 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.00014 g

Seed mass mean:

9.53333333333333e-05 g

Seed mass min:

4e-05 g

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Erigeron bonariensis has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Indian journal of pharmacology
2. Materials science & engineering. C, Materials for biological applications

Chemicals

Erigeron bonariensis has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include alpha-Amyrin, beta-Amyrin.

alpha-Amyrin

1. Indian journal of pharmacology

beta-Amyrin

1. Indian journal of pharmacology

Activities

Erigeron bonariensis has 4 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Antiplasmodial, Cytotoxic.

Antibacterial

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Antioxidant

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Antiplasmodial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cytotoxic

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Erigeron bonariensis has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include aging, malaria.

Aging

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Malaria

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Erigeron bonariensis has 11 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include EB extract, butanol fraction, crude extract, flower part, leachates.

Eb extract

1. RSC advances

Butanol fraction

1. European review for medical and pharmacological sciences

Crude extract

1. European review for medical and pharmacological sciences

Flower part

1. RSC advances

Leachates

1. Scientific reports

Leaf extracts

1. Materials science & engineering. C, Materials for biological applications

Leaf part

1. RSC advances

Petroleum ether extract of c. bonariensis (pecb) leaves

1. Indian journal of pharmacology

Plant extract

1. European review for medical and pharmacological sciences

Stem part

1. RSC advances