Hemionitis calomelanos

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning several different continents and climatic zones. In Southwestern Europe, its presence can be specifically noted within the country of Spain. Moving into West-Central Tropical Africa, the species is found across Burundi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Additionally, the plant extends its range into Northeast Tropical Africa, where it grows in Ethiopia. Consequently, these diverse locations highlight the plant's ability to inhabit varied ecological environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Hemionitis calomelanos is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse vertical gradient within its native habitats. This species exhibits a broad environmental tolerance regarding altitude, occupying a significant elevational range that spans from as low as 100 m AMSL to a maximum of 2100 m AMSL. This wide altitudinal distribution suggests that the plant is capable of adapting to varying climatic conditions, including fluctuations in temperature, atmospheric pressure, and moisture availability associated with different montane and lowland ecological zones.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Hemioniis calomelanos is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural survival strategy, it functions as a geophyte, maintaining its vital organs underground to endure unfavorable environmental conditions. This classification is further supported by its status as a cryptophyte, a life form defined by its ability to protect its renewing buds beneath the soil surface or leaf litter, ensuring long-term survival and regrowth.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hemionitis calomelanos is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, manifesting as both a herb and a forb. This plant is a self-supporting species that does not function as a climber and grows independently without parasitic tendencies. It is a terrestrial plant, lacking aquatic or epiphytic habits. In terms of stature, the plant maintains a relatively low profile, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.15 m to a maximum of 0.25 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.25 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Hemionitis calomelanos has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Data in brief
2. Evolutionary bioinformatics online

Preparations

Hemionitis calomelanos has 3 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Methanol and acetone extracts, essential oil, smoke fraction.

Methanol and acetone extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Essential oil

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Smoke fraction

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology