Hechtia glomerata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hechtia morreniana
• Hechtia ghiesbreghtii
• Hechtia gamopetala
• Dasylirion pitcairniifolium

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, falling within the order Poales. Finally, it is a member of the Bromeliaceae family and is categorized under the genus Hechtia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range that extends from the United States into various regions of Mexico. In the South-Central U.S.A., its presence is specifically noted within the state of Texas. Moving into Mexico, the species is widely distributed across the central part of the country. It also inhabits the northeastern and southwestern territories of the Mexican landscape. Finally, the distribution concludes with its occurrence in the southeast region of Mexico.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Hechtia glomerata is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth and survival strategy, the plant is classified as a hemicryptophyte, meaning its perennial buds are located at or just below the soil surface, providing a level of protection against environmental fluctuations. This life form, combined with its perennial lifecycle, enables the plant to maintain stability and continue its biological processes throughout the years.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hechtia glomerata is characterized by a growth form consistent with a non-woody herb and forb, typically manifesting as a robust, rosette-forming plant. It is a terrestrial species, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic adaptations, and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. In terms of its structural habit, the plant is strictly self-supporting, meaning it does not exhibit climber, vine, or liana characteristics, nor does it act as an epiphyte. Its physical structure is entirely non-woody, relying on its fleshy, often succulent leaf arrangement to maintain its upright, terrestrial stature.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Hechtia glomerata involves a specialized process characterized by the production of minute seeds designed for effective dispersal. Quantitative analysis of its reproductive output reveals a highly consistent seed morphology, with no variation observed across different samples. The seed mass remains constant, exhibiting a mean value of 0.00077 g, which is identical to both its maximum and minimum recorded values of 0.00077 g. This uniformity in seed mass suggests a highly stabilized evolutionary strategy for seed development within the species.

Seed mass mean:

0.00077 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Hechtia glomerata has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Natural product research

Chemicals

Hechtia glomerata has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cyanidin, Daucosterol, OLEANOLIC ACID, Phytol, STIGMASTEROL.

Cyanidin

1. Natural product research

Daucosterol

1. Natural product research

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. Natural product research

Phytol

1. Natural product research

STIGMASTEROL

1. Natural product research

Ursolic acid

1. Natural product research

apigenin

1. Natural product research

caffeic acid

1. Natural product research

kaempferol

1. Natural product research

p-coumaric acid

1. Natural product research

Activities

Hechtia glomerata has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Cytotoxic.

Antibacterial

1. Natural product research

Cytotoxic

1. Natural product research

Medicinal Uses

Hechtia glomerata has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include bacterial infections, cancer.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations