redhead

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• redhead
• Firebush
• Mexican Firecracker

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Duhamelia patens
• Duhamelia sphaerocarpa
• Hamelia brittoniana
• Hamelia brachystemon
• Hamelia patens var. erecta
• Periclymenum verticillatum
• Schoenleinia thyrsoidea
• Hamelia patens var. axillaroides
• Hamelia verticillata
• Hamelia viridifolia
• Hamelia corymbosa
• Duhamelia odorata
• Hamelia coccinea
• Hamelia patens var. quinifolia
• Hamelia sphaerocarpa
• Hamelia pedicellata
• Lonicera verticillata
• Hamelia suaveolens
• Hamelia tubiflora
• Hamelia lanuginosa
• Hamelia latifolia
• Hamelia nodosa
• Hamelia ovata
• Hamelia erecta
• Hamelia intermedia
• Hamelia patens var. glabra

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. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianaales. Finally, Hamelia patens is a member of the family Rubiaceae and falls under the genus Hamelia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning multiple continents and climate zones. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found specifically in the West Himalaya region. Its range extends into Malesia, where it is located in Malaya. In North America, the species inhabits the Southeastern U.S.A., specifically within the state of Florida. Finally, its presence is noted in Mexico, covering both the Central and Northeast territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Hamelia patens is characterized by its remarkable adaptability across a diverse array of ecosystems and a broad altitudinal gradient. This species can be found inhabiting a vast spectrum of environments, ranging from anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) and Restinga to highly specific formations such as Campinarana, Campo de Várzea, and Carrasco. It is frequently integrated into various forest types, including Seasonal Deciduous Forests (Floresta Estacional Decidual), Seasonal Semi-deciduous Forests (Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual), Ombrophilous/Rainforests (Floresta Ombrófila), Gallery Forests (Floresta de Galeria), and specialized wetland forests such as Igapó and Várzea. Additionally, its presence extends into the Cerrado (lat. sensu) and riparian zones (Floresta Ciliar). This ecological flexibility is further evidenced by its significant elevational range, which spans from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 3700 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

3700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Campinarana, Campo de Várzea, Carrasco, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Igapó, Floresta de Várzea, Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Resti

Life history

The life history of Hamelia patens is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its stem structure above the ground, while its growth habit can also be categorized as a nanophanerophyte depending on specific environmental conditions and structural development. Throughout its lifecycle, the plant exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, retaining its foliage year-round to maintain photosynthetic activity.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hamelia patens is characterized by its woody structure and versatile growth habits, manifesting primarily as a shrub or a small tree. This plant is a terrestrial species, existing as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies, and it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior. In terms of stature, it is a relatively large specimen with a mean plant height of approximately 4.13 meters, though it can reach a maximum height of up to 6 meters. While it possesses a sturdy, woody composition, its climbing mechanism is classified as self-supporting rather than acting as an obligatory or facultative vine or liana.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6 m

Plant height mean:

4.12666666666667 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Hamelia patens is characterized by specific metabolic and structural parameters, particularly regarding its leaf tissue composition and nutrient acquisition strategies. The plant exhibits a highly consistent Leaf Dry Matter Content (LDMC), with a recorded mean, minimum, and maximum value of 205.5 mg/g, indicating a uniform density of organic matter within the foliar tissues. This stable LDMC suggests a specialized approach to resource allocation and leaf structural integrity. Furthermore, in terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships, Hamelia patens does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil rather than through biological nitrogen fixation processes.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

205.5 mg/g

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Hamelia patens is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically adapted for bird pollination to facilitate genetic exchange. The plant produces fruit classified as a drupe, which is indehiscent, meaning it does not split open at maturity to release its contents. The dispersal of the species follows a zoochorous syndrome, relying on animals to spread the seeds. The seeds themselves are notably small and uniform in size, with a mean length of 0.9 mm (ranging from a minimum of 0.9 mm to a maximum of 0.9 mm) and a mean mass of 7e-05 g. Individual seed mass varies slightly, ranging from a minimum of 5e-05 g to a maximum of 9e-05 g.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit type :

drupe

Pollination syndrome :

bird

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length mean:

0.9 mm

Seed mass max:

9e-05 g

Seed mass mean:

7e-05 g

Seed mass min:

5e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Hamelia patens 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 leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Hamelia patens has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Isopteropodine, CHLOROGENIC ACID, Epicatechin, Flavonoids, Glycosides.

Isopteropodine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Epicatechin

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Flavonoids

1. Annals of African medicine

Glycosides

1. Annals of African medicine

Phytosterols

1. Annals of African medicine

Pteropodine

1. Dr. Duke

Rumberine

1. Dr. Duke

Saponins

1. Annals of African medicine

Seneciophylline

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Hamelia patens has 39 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Antibacterial.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutical biology

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Anticariogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antidiabetic

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Antidiarrheic

1. Dr. Duke

Antidysenteric

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Hamelia patens has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include type 2 diabetes, HeLa cells, herpes simplex virus, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemic effects.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations