Volvulopsis nummularium

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Dwarf Morning Glory
• Money-wort evolvulus

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Volvulopsis nummularius
• Evolvulus nummularius var. grandifolia
• Evolvulus nummularius f. pedunculatus
• Evolvulus veronicifolius
• Evolvulus yunnanensis
• Evolvulus repens
• Evolvulus dichondroides
• Convolvulus nummularius

Regional and Traditional Names

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 is organized under the order Solanales and the family Convolvulaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Evolvulus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in Burkina, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast. Moving toward the center of the continent, its range extends into West-Central Tropical Africa. Within this central region, the species is documented in Burundi as well as the Central African Republic. Consequently, the presence of Evolvulus nummularius spans a diverse stretch of tropical environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Evolvulus nummularius is characterized by a versatile adaptability to diverse environments, ranging from disturbed anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) to specialized natural formations such as high-altitude fields (Campo de Altitude), open fields (Campo Limpo), and the broader Cerrado biome (Cerrado latu sensu). This species demonstrates a wide altitudinal distribution, occupying a vast ecological gradient that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum elevation of 1100 m AMSL. Such a broad range indicates its ability to thrive in both lowland disturbed landscapes and more stable, elevated grassland ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Campo de Altitude, Campo Limpo, Cerrado (lato sensu)

Life history

The life history of Evolvulus nummularius is characterized by its classification as a perennial organism, though its growth patterns can exhibit variable tendencies depending on environmental conditions. In terms of its structural life form, the plant functions as a therophyte, completing its seasonal biological processes through a strategy that prioritizes rapid development and seed production. This therophyte habit is consistent across its various growth stages, defining its fundamental ecological niche and survival mechanism within its habitat.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Evolvulus nummularius is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, exhibiting a versatile habit that ranges from aquatic and semiaquatic to terrestrial environments. As a self-supporting plant, it functions as a creeping or trailing vine rather than an obligatory climber, allowing it to spread across various substrates. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its epiphyte classification, meaning it does not inhabit other plants but rather grows upon the ground or in moist soil. Furthermore, it is an independent organism that does not exhibit parasitic behavior, maintaining its own nutritional processes without relying on a host.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Evolvulus nummularius is characterized by a metabolic framework governed by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates how the plant captures and processes carbon dioxide to facilitate growth and energy production. Within this C3 cycle, carbon fixation occurs directly through the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle, making the plant highly dependent on efficient stomatal conductance for gas exchange. This metabolic strategy influences the plant's water-use efficiency and its physiological response to varying environmental conditions, such as light intensity and moisture availability. Furthermore, its physiological processes involve complex regulatory mechanisms for nutrient uptake and transpiration, ensuring that the carbon assimilation facilitated by its C3 pathway is balanced with the hydration requirements necessary to maintain turgor pressure and cellular function.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Evolvulus nummularius has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anthelmintic, Sedative.

Anthelmintic

1. Botanical studies

Sedative

1. Botanical studies

Conditions

Evolvulus nummularius has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include sedative.

Sedative

1. Botanical studies