Heliotropium crispum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Heliotropium undulatum var. kralikii
• Heliotropium bacciferum subsp. erosum
• Heliotropium undulatum subsp. erosum
• Heliotropium bacciferum var. erosum
• Bourjotia erosum
• Heliophytum erosum
• Heliophytum erosum var. prostratum
• Heliotropium undulatum var. monodianum
• Heliotropium plebeium
• Heliotropium kralikii
• Heliotropium undulatum f. stenophyllum
• Bourjotia kralikii
• Heliotropium suffruticescens
• Heliotropium erosum
• Heliotropium undulatum var. suffruticescens
• Heliotropium erosum var. prostratum
• Heliotropium undulatum var. crispum
• Heliotropium undulatum var. maroccanum

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Boraginales, it is classified under the family Boraginaceae. It is further identified by its genus, Heliotropium, specifically as the species Heliotropium crispum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed throughout the North African region. Its presence is specifically documented across several Mediterranean countries including Algeria and Egypt. Furthermore, it can be found growing within the territories of Libya and Morocco. The species also extends its range into the nation of Tunisia. Consequently, its geographical footprint is concentrated within these specific northern African territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Heliotropium crispum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its growth habit and structural strategy, it is classified as a chamaephyte, meaning its perennating buds are located close to the ground level, typically just above the soil surface. This life form enables the species to withstand various environmental pressures while maintaining its ability to regenerate and spread within its ecological niche.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Heliotropium crispum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. It functions as a self-supporting plant and is categorized as an independent organism, meaning it does not act as a parasite. As a terrestrial species, it grows directly from the soil rather than as an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant is relatively low-growing, with a minimum plant height of 0.2 m and reaching a maximum height of 0.4 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.4 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Heliotropium crispum is characterized by a flowering period that is highly adaptable, typically beginning in February, though the specific timing can vary across different months of the year. The reproductive process culminates in the development of a fruit categorized as a nut, which serves as the primary vessel for seed dispersal. Furthermore, this fruit is indehiscent, meaning it does not automatically split open at maturity to release its seeds, relying instead on external factors for the eventual dispersal of the progeny.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Flowering time :

Feb

Fruit type :

nut

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Heliotropium crispum has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BA, CA, CR, FE, MG.

BA

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

CA

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

CR

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

FE

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

MG

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

SI

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Ti

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Activities

Heliotropium crispum has 4 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihemolytic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.

Antihemolytic

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Antimicrobial

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Antioxidant

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Cytotoxic

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Conditions

Heliotropium crispum has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include kidney diseases, neurodegenerative diseases.

Kidney diseases

1. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Neurodegenerative diseases

1. Biomolecules