Eriodictyon californicum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Eriodictyon glutinosum var. serratum
• Wigandia californica
• Eriodictyon californicum subsp. australe
• Eriodictyon californicum subvar. coarctatum
• Eriodictyon californicum subsp. glutinosum
• Eriodictyon californicum f. latifolium
• Eriodictyon californicum f. linearis
• Eriodictyon californicum var. pubens
• Eriodictyon glutinosum

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. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae, the order Boraginales, and the family Boraginaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Eriodictyon.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific range within the western regions of the United States. Its geographical distribution is primarily concentrated in the Northwestern United States, specifically within the state of Oregon. Additionally, it can be found extensively throughout the Southwestern United States. Within this southwestern region, the plant is most commonly located in California. Together, these areas define the natural habitat where this medicinal species thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Eriodictyon californicum is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived woody shrub, it avoids the rapid turnover seen in annuals or biennial plants, instead focusing on establishing a robust root system and a stable structural framework. This perennial lifecycle enables the plant to endure seasonal fluctuations and drought conditions common to its habitat, as it can store resources to support regrowth and flowering cycles year after year. Through this sustained biological strategy, the plant maintains a continuous presence in its ecosystem, contributing to long-term stability within its native range.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Eriodictyon californicum is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a shrub. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber or a liana, maintaining a sturdy, independent structure. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte, growing independently in its environment without parasitic tendencies. The plant typically reaches an average height of approximately 2.4 m, developing a robust, woody architecture consistent with its shrubby classification.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

2.4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Eriodictyon californicum is characterized by a specialized metabolic framework adapted to the Mediterranean climate of its native habitats, most notably through its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway. As a C3 plant, its carbon fixation process relies on the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate by the enzyme RuBisCO, which occurs within the mesophyll cells without the temporal or spatial separation seen in C4 or CAM species. This photosynthetic strategy allows the plant to maximize efficiency in temperate conditions, though it necessitates sophisticated physiological mechanisms to manage transpiration and water loss during periods of high light intensity and heat. To mitigate the inherent inefficiencies of the C3 pathway, such as photorespiration, Eriodictyon californicum employs structural and biochemical adaptations, including the production of secondary metabolites and specialized leaf morphologies that help regulate gas exchange and maintain cellular homeostasis under environmental stress.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Eriodictyon californicum is characterized by the production of remarkably small seeds, which play a critical role in its dispersal and establishment within its natural habitat. The reproductive output is defined by a highly specific seed mass profile, with a calculated mean seed mass of approximately 0.00573975 g. However, there is significant variation within the population's seed size distribution, as evidenced by the recorded minimum seed mass of 0.000109 g and a maximum seed mass of 0.00017 g. These minute dimensions suggest that the plant relies on efficient seed dispersal mechanisms to colonize available substrates, with the tiny physical scale of the seeds facilitating movement through environmental vectors.

Seed mass max:

0.00017 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00573975 g

Seed mass min:

0.000109 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Eriodictyon californicum 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. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Eriodictyon californicum has 63 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ERIODICTYOL, Homoeriodictyol, Chrysoeriol, Sakuranetin, hesperetin.

ERIODICTYOL

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Homoeriodictyol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Chrysoeriol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products
3. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Sakuranetin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
3. Journal of natural products

hesperetin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Cirsimaritin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Hispidulin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Pinocembrin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Sterubin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)

chrysin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Activities

Eriodictyon californicum has 408 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Astringent, ACE-Inhibitor, AP-1-Inhibitor, Acaricide, Acetylcholinergic.

Astringent

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AP-1-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Acetylcholinergic

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Amphiglycemic?

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Eriodictyon californicum has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer.

Most Reported Uses