eared starviolet

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• eared starviolet

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hedyotis auricularia subsp. venosa
• Hedyotis venosa
• Oldenlandia crataeogonum
• Hedyotis multicaulis
• Hedyotis nervosa
• Metabolos ciliaris
• Hedyotis auricularia var. brevipila
• Metabolos venosus
• Hedyotis auricularia var. dispersa
• Hedyotis auricularia var. longipila
• Metabolos auricularius
• Hedyotis auricularia var. mina
• Oldenlandia auricularia
• Hedyotis auricularia var. tomentella
• Spermacoce lineata
• Oldenlandia leopoldvillensis
• Hedyotis crataeogonum
• Oldenlandia auricularia var. macrophylla
• Hedyotis lianshanensis
• Hedyotis hirsuta
• Hedyotis geniculata
• Hedyotis sarmentosa
• Dimetia auricularia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Exallage auricularia, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is further classified under the order Gentianaales. Finally, it is a member of the family Rubiaceae within the genus Exallage.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across two major regions of the world. In the West-Central Tropical Africa region, it can be found inhabiting the landscapes of Congo and Gabon. Its presence is also well-documented within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Moving to Asia, the species is distributed throughout the South-Central areas of China. Additionally, the plant has been identified growing in the tropical environment of Hainan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Exallaage auricularia is characterized by its specific preference for mid-elevation environments, occupying a distinct altitudinal niche between 710 m and 800 m AMSL. It thrives primarily within dense secondary shrublands and ruderal vegetation, where it colonizes disturbed or transitional habitats. This preference for ruderal zones suggests an ability to establish itself in areas where vegetation is undergoing successional changes or has been influenced by human-induced environmental shifts.

Elevational range max:

800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

710 m AMSL

Habitat :

dense secondary shrub and ruderal vegetation

Life history

The life history of Exallage auricularia is characterized by its classification as a chamaephyte, a growth form where the permanent shoots are located close to the soil surface, typically staying within a few centimeters of the ground. Within this morphological framework, it is specifically identified as a chamaephyte under both its primary and secondary life form classifications, indicating a strategy of maintaining low-growing vegetation that can withstand various environmental pressures by keeping its vital reproductive and vegetative structures near the substrate. This life history strategy allows the plant to effectively manage resource allocation and survive seasonal fluctuations by utilizing its low-profile stature.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Morphology

The morphology of Exallage auricularia is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 0.6 m. It functions as an independent organism, lacking parasitic tendencies, and is classified as a terrestrial species rather than an aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic plant. Although it exhibits characteristics of a self-supporting climber, it does not operate as an obligatory or facultative vine, maintaining a structure that is fundamentally terrestrial in its ecological niche.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Exallage auricularia has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ACID, Dalspinin, Phenols, RUTIN, Tannin.

ACID

1. Journal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences

Dalspinin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Phenols

1. Journal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences

RUTIN

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Tannin

1. Journal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences

Tannins

1. Journal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences

Ursolic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

quercetin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Exallage auricularia has 7 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antieczemic, Antihyperlipidemic, Antihypertensive.

Antibacterial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antidiabetic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antieczemic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antihyperlipidemic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antihypertensive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hepatoprotective

1. Artificial cells, nanomedicine, and biotechnology

Nephroprotective

1. Artificial cells, nanomedicine, and biotechnology

Preparations

Exallage auricularia has 3 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Ethanolic Extract, Green synthesized selenium nanoparticles, ethanolic extract.

Ethanolic extract

1. Journal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences

Green synthesized selenium nanoparticles

1. Artificial cells, nanomedicine, and biotechnology

Ethanolic extract

1. Journal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences