Gastrocotyle hispida

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Anchusa hispida var. songarica
• Anchusa deflexa
• Anchusa hispida

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Boraginales. Ultimately, it resides in the family Boraginaceae under the genus Gastrocotyle.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Gastrocotyle hispida, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across the northern portion of the African continent. Its presence is documented within several key countries located in the North African region. Specifically, it can be found growing in the territories of Algeria and Egypt. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the landscapes of Libya and Morocco. The distribution is completed by its occurrence within the borders of Tunisia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Gastrocotyle hispida is characterized by its ability to thrive in diverse environments ranging from arid desert landscapes and fertile oases to managed parklands. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying a wide vertical niche that spans from low-lying areas at 40 m AMSL to high-altitude regions reaching a maximum of 2300 m AMSL. On average, the plant is found at a mean elevation of 745 m AMSL, reflecting its adaptability to various topographic and climatic gradients within its preferred habitats.

Elevational range max:

2300 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

745 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

40 m AMSL

Habitat :

desert,oasis,parks

Life history

The life history of Gastrocotyle hispida 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, it survives the unfavorable periods through the production of seeds rather than maintaining persistent vegetative structures above ground, allowing it to rapidly colonize available habitats once conditions become favorable. This life form strategy ensures that the species can efficiently exploit seasonal resources, completing its biological objectives before the onset of environmental stress.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Gastrocotyle hispida is characterized by its herbaceous growth form, presenting as a non-woody herb. The plant typically reaches a mean height of approximately 0.4 m and exhibits a terrestrial habitat preference. In terms of its structural habit, it is a self-supporting climber and functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.4 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of the foliage in Gastrocotyle hispida are defined by specific morphological dimensions that govern its photosynthetic surface area and structural development. The leaves exhibit a variable length, ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 2 cm, with an average length maintained at approximately 1.5 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation is a measured width that fluctuates between a minimum of 0.4 cm and a maximum of 0.8 cm. These precise leaf dimensions facilitate the plant's metabolic processes and environmental adaptations through a controlled surface-to-volume ratio.

Leaf length max:

2 cm

Leaf length mean:

1.5 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf width max:

0.8 cm

Leaf width min:

0.4 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Gastrocotyle hispida is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and the development of small-scale fruit structures. The flowering period is notably variable throughout the year, though it specifically includes the month of April, spanning a range that can encompass any month from January through December. Following the pollination phase, the plant produces fruits that are relatively diminutive in size. These fruits exhibit a consistent morphological range, with a mean length of 0.4 cm. More specifically, the fruit length fluctuates between a minimum of 0.35 cm and a maximum of 0.45 cm, representing the precise physical dimensions of the reproductive output.

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit length max:

0.45 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.4 cm

Fruit length min:

0.35 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Gastrocotyle hispida has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BA, CA, CR, FE, MG.

BA

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

CA

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

CR

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

FE

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

MG

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

SI

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Ti

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Activities

Gastrocotyle hispida has 4 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihemolytic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.

Antihemolytic

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Antimicrobial

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Antioxidant

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Cytotoxic

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences