Turnsole

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, situated within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Boraginales and the family Boraginaceae. Finally, the medicinal species is identified by its genus, Heliotropium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several regions across the African continent. In Northern Africa, its presence is documented within the territories of Egypt and Libya. Moving toward West Tropical Africa, the species can be found inhabiting the landscape of Burkina. The plant is also distributed across Mauritania, which is located within the West Tropical region. Finally, its range extends further into West Tropical Africa to include Nigeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Heliotropium bacciferum is characterized by its presence within specific altitudinal gradients, typically thriving in environments situated between an elevation of 500 m AMSL and a maximum elevation of 1100 m AMSL. This elevational range dictates the specific climatic conditions, such as temperature fluctuations and moisture availability, to which the species has adapted. Within this mid-altitude belt, the plant occupies distinct ecological niches that support its growth patterns and reproductive cycles, relying on the environmental stability found between these two specific vertical limits.

Elevational range max:

1100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Heliotropium bacciferum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Structurally, it is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the permanent shoots are located close to the soil surface, often protected by leaf litter or ground cover. This growth habit, consistent across its classification as both a chamaephyte and a specific type of chamaephyte, enables the species to endure various environmental conditions by maintaining its reproductive and vegetative structures at a low profile near the ground level.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Heliotropium bacciferum is characterized by its growth form as a woody subshrub that exhibits a self-supporting structure. Rather than being an obligatory or facultative climber, the plant maintains its own posture through its woody stems. It is an independent organism, functioning neither as a parasite nor as an epiphyte, as it maintains a strictly terrestrial existence. Although its ecological niche can vary across different habitats, its primary life habit is defined by its terrestrial nature rather than aquatic or semiaquatic adaptations.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Heliotropium bacciferum is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and the production of minute seeds. The flowering period typically begins in March and reaches its conclusion in April, although the timing can be variable across different cycles. The resulting seeds are exceptionally lightweight, with a mean seed mass of approximately 0.001603333 g. Within the population, seed size exhibits slight variations, ranging from a minimum mass of 0.00136 g to a maximum mass of 0.0019 g.

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Apr

Seed mass max:

0.0019 g

Seed mass mean:

0.001603333 g

Seed mass min:

0.00136 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Heliotropium bacciferum has 4 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower, leaf, root, stem.

Flower

1. BioMed research international

Leaf

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Root

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Stem

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Chemicals

Heliotropium bacciferum has 25 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Linalool, Phenols, Agarospirol, Alcohols, Alkanes.

Linalool

1. Analytical biochemistry
2. Natural product research

Phenols

1. TheScientificWorldJournal
2. BioMed research international

Agarospirol

1. Analytical biochemistry

Alcohols

1. BioMed research international

Alkanes

1. BioMed research international

Alkenes

1. BioMed research international

Amines

1. BioMed research international

Eicosadienoic acid

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Elemol

1. Analytical biochemistry

Esters

1. BioMed research international

Activities

Heliotropium bacciferum has 3 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antiproliferative.

Antimicrobial

1. BioMed research international

Antioxidant

1. BioMed research international

Antiproliferative

1. Natural product research

Medicinal Uses

Heliotropium bacciferum has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include colon cancer, skin diseases, tonsillitis.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations