Roman Shields

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Roman Shields

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lunaria clypeata
• Acuston clypeatum
• Draba clypeata
• Farsetia clypeata

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. Following its classification through the subclass Magnoliidae and order Brassicales, it is a member of the family Brassicaceae. It is specifically identified under the genus Fibigia, where its species name is clypeata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several distinct regions of the European continent. In Middle Europe, its presence is notably recorded within Germany. Moving toward the Mediterranean, it can be found throughout Southwestern Europe, specifically in France and Spain. The species also extends into Southeastern Europe, where it inhabits the landscapes of Albania. Finally, its range continues eastward through the country of Bulgaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Fibigia clypeata is characterized by its preference for rugged and exposed terrains, specifically inhabiting hills, mountains, and various stony places. This species thrives in environments where substrate stability may be low and rocky conditions are prevalent. Its vertical distribution is constrained to lower to mid-altitude zones, with an elevational range that reaches a maximum of 1000 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Habitat :

hills, mountains, stony places

Life history

The life history of Fibigia clypeata is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, the plant is classified as a hemicryptophyte, meaning that its perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or accumulated organic matter during unfavorable periods. This life form, specifically identified through its hemicryptophytic nature, enables the plant to survive seasonal variations by maintaining its vital organs close to the ground level, facilitating its ability to re-emerge and continue its biological cycle year after year.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Fibigia clypeata is characterized by a growth form that functions as both a herb and a subshrub, exhibiting a non-woody structure. This plant typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 0.75 m. While it possesses a terrestrial habit, its ecological niche spans aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial environments. In terms of its physical support and orientation, it is a self-supporting plant rather than an obligatory or facultative climber, functioning as a self-supporting entity rather than a liana or vine. Furthermore, it is an independent organism, meaning it does not act as a parasite, and it maintains a terrestrial existence rather than functioning as an epiphyte.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.75 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Fibigia clypeata is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and the production of minute seeds. The plant typically begins its flowering period in April and continues through May, though the timing can be variable within the broader seasonal spectrum. Following pollination, the plant produces seeds with a very small mass profile; the mean seed mass is approximately 0.0025283335 g, with individual seeds ranging from a minimum of 0.0019 g to a maximum of 0.00303 g.

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

May

Seed mass max:

0.00303 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0025283335 g

Seed mass min:

0.0019 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Fibigia clypeata has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cyanidin 3-rutinoside chloride.

Cyanidin 3-rutinoside chloride

1. ChemistryOpen

Activities

Fibigia clypeata has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial.

Antimicrobial

1. ChemistryOpen