Gerbera piloselloides

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pseudoseris rutenbergii
• Inula rungwensis
• Gerbera humilis
• Doronicum arabicum
• Arnica hirsuta
• Gerbera aberdarica
• Gerbera amabilis
• Gerbera candollei
• Gerbera ovalifolia
• Arnica piloselloides
• Gerbera piloselloides var. concolor
• Epiclinastrum candollei
• Doronicum piloselloides
• Gerbera schimperi
• Lasiopus candollei
• Piloselloides hirsuta
• Gerbera waandersiana
• Gerbera peregrina

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales, it falls into the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Gerbera and the specific species Gerbera piloselloides.

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, its presence is documented in both Guinea and Togo. The species also extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, where it can be found in the Central African Republic. Furthermore, it inhabits parts of Cameroon within the same central region. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal plant includes the Congo.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Gerbera piloselloides is defined by its remarkable altitudinal plasticity, allowing it to occupy a vast vertical gradient within its natural habitat. This species demonstrates a broad ecological tolerance, inhabiting environments ranging from sea level up to an elevation of 3100 m AMSL. This wide elevational range suggests that the plant is capable of adapting to diverse climatic conditions, from the warmer, more humid lowland regions to the significantly cooler, more temperate, or even sub-alpine conditions found at its maximum altitude. Such versatility in its elevational distribution enables the species to colonize various ecological niches, potentially encountering a spectrum of soil compositions, moisture availability, and temperature fluctuations across its longitudinal or latitudinal spread.

Elevational range max:

3100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Gerbera piloselloides is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its growth habit and structural organization, it is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the permanent buds are located close to the soil surface, often just above it. This classification as a chamaephyte ensures its survival and ability to regenerate within its specific ecological niche, supporting its long-term presence in the environment.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Gerbera piloselloides is characterized by a low-growing, herbaceous growth form, manifesting as both a herb and a forb. This non-woody species is primarily terrestrial in its habitat, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. It is a self-supporting plant, lacking any climbing, vine, or liana tendencies. In terms of stature, it is a diminutive species with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of approximately 0.457 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.457200914 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Gerbera piloselloides is characterized by the production of small seeds that exhibit specific mass variations, with a minimum seed mass of 0.00132 g, a maximum of 0.00187 g, and an average seed mass of 0.001595 g. The dispersal of these seeds is primarily governed by an anemochorous syndrome, meaning they are adapted for wind dispersal, though the plant's reproductive strategy within its ecosystem also encompasses elements of zoochory, autochory, hydrochory, and unspecialized dispersal mechanisms.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Seed mass max:

0.00187 g

Seed mass mean:

0.001595 g

Seed mass min:

0.00132 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Gerbera piloselloides has 2 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 rhizome, root.

Rhizome

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Root

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Chemicals

Gerbera piloselloides has 26 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Marmesin, 1A, 5A, 5B, arbutin.

Marmesin

1. Heliyon
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology

1A

1. Phytochemistry
2. Fitoterapia

5A

1. Phytochemistry
2. Fitoterapia

5B

1. Phytochemistry
2. Fitoterapia

arbutin

1. Heliyon
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

luteolin

1. Heliyon
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

4-Hydroxy-3-methylacetophenone

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

5-Methylcoumarin

1. Journal of natural products

6A

1. Phytochemistry

6B

1. Phytochemistry

Activities

Gerbera piloselloides has 5 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antitussive, Antimicrobial, Antiproliferative, Expectorant.

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Frontiers in plant science

Antitussive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Antimicrobial

1. Frontiers in plant science

Antiproliferative

1. Fitoterapia

Expectorant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Gerbera piloselloides has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Colorectal Cancer, antitussive, bronchial asthma, cough, lipid metabolism disorder.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations