Heliotropium verdcourtii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several key regions in North America. In the South-Central United States, its presence is specifically noted within the state of Texas. Moving toward the Southeast, it can also be found inhabiting parts of Florida. The species extends significantly into Mexico, where it is located in the Central, Northeast, and Gulf regions. Together, these locations illustrate a broad range across both the United States and various Mexican territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Heliotropium verdcourtii is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, occurring from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 2000 m AMSL. This species demonstrates significant ecological plasticity, inhabiting a diverse array of environments ranging from disturbed anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) and lowland floodplains (Campo de Várzea, Floresta de Várzea) to various forest types, including riparian or gallery forests (Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria), seasonal deciduous forests (Floresta Estacional Decidual), and seasonal semi-deciduous forests (Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual). Additionally, it is found within humid ombrophilous forests (Floresta Ombrófila/Pluvial) and coastal restinga ecosystems, indicating its ability to thrive across varied moisture regimes and successional stages.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Campo de Várzea, Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Várzea, Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga

Life history

The life history of Heliotropium verdcourtii is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its environment across multiple growing seasons. Unlike annuals that complete their life cycle in a single year or biennials that require two years to flower, this species maintains a long-term presence through sustained vegetative growth and repeated reproductive cycles. This perennial nature enables the plant to establish stable populations within its specific ecological niche, facilitating long-term survival and consistent contribution to the local flora.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Heliotropium verdcourtii is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically classified as a shrub. It functions as an independent organism, exhibiting no parasitic tendencies, and is strictly terrestrial in its ecological positioning, rather than acting as an epiphyte or an aquatic/semiaquatic species. In terms of its structural habit, the plant is self-supporting, lacking the climbing mechanisms associated with vines or lianas, and maintains a robust, woody constitution.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Heliotropium verdcourtii is characterized by the production of fruit with a distinct fleshy texture, providing a specialized medium for seed development. The seeds produced by this species exhibit highly consistent volumetric dimensions, maintaining a uniform seed volume of 14 mm³, with no recorded variation between the minimum and maximum values. In terms of mass, the seeds show a degree of variability, ranging from a minimum of 0.002 g to a maximum of 0.00666 g, with an average seed mass of 0.00433 g. This combination of fleshy fruit morphology and specific seed metrics defines the plant's reproductive output and dispersal potential.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed mass max:

0.00666 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00433 g

Seed mass min:

0.002 g

Seed volume max:

14 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Heliotropium verdcourtii 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. Journal of experimental pharmacology