Helenium elegans

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Heleniastrum elegans

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 Asterales. Finally, it is a member of the family Asteraceae within the genus Helenium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution across several regions of the United States. In the North-Central part of the country, its presence is noted in Oklahoma. Moving toward the South-Central region, the species can also be found throughout Texas. Additionally, its range extends into the Southeastern United States, specifically within Arkansas. Together, these locations define the primary geographical footprint of Helenium elegans.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Helenium elegans is characterized by a variable lifecycle, which can manifest as an annual, biennial, or perennial depending on the specific environmental conditions and local ecological pressures it encounters. Throughout its existence, the plant undergoes a complex progression from seed germination to reproductive maturity, navigating seasonal shifts to ensure survival. As a variable species, its developmental timeline allows it to adapt its longevity to the availability of resources such as moisture and nutrient-rich soil. In favorable habitats, it may establish itself as a perennial, returning each season to complete its reproductive cycle, whereas in more transient or harsh environments, it may function as an annual or biennial, prioritizing rapid seed production before the conclusion of its lifespan.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Helenium elegans is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. It functions as a self-supporting plant, lacking the climbing mechanisms of a liana or vine, and maintains an independent lifestyle as a non-parasitic organism. In terms of its ecological habitat and positioning, the species is terrestrial rather than aquatic or epiphytic, occupying stable ground environments.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Helenium elegans is characterized by the production of specialized seeds that exhibit a highly consistent physical profile. The reproductive success of the species relies on these seeds, which maintain a uniform weight across all observed specimens. Specifically, the seed mass is remarkably precise, with a mean value of 4e-05 g. This consistency is reflected in the lack of variance within the population, as both the maximum and minimum recorded seed mass values are identical at 4e-05 g. Such uniformity in seed mass suggests a highly stabilized evolutionary strategy for dispersal and germination within its natural habitat.

Seed mass mean:

4e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Helenium elegans has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Isohelenol, Microhelenin A, Microhelenin B, Microhelenin C, Microlenin acetate.

Isohelenol

1. Journal of natural products

Microhelenin A

1. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Microhelenin B

1. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Microhelenin C

1. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Microlenin acetate

1. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Plenolin

1. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Activities

Helenium elegans has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antileukemic, Antitumor.

Antileukemic

1. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences
2. Journal of natural products

Antitumor

1. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences