Hemionitis contracta

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cheilanthes bojeri
• Cheilanthes profusa
• Pellaea bojeri
• Cheilanthes distans var. profusa
• Notholaena profusa
• Pellaea profusa
• Cheilanthes contracta

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is classified under the subclass Polypodiinae and the order Polypodiales, falling into the family Pteridaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Hemionitis, specifically as the species Hemionitis contracta.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific range within the southern portion of the African continent. Its geographical presence is primarily concentrated within the Cape Provinces of Southern Africa. Additionally, the species can be found extending into the Northern Provinces of the same region. These two distinct areas represent the known habitat for this medicinal species. Consequently, its distribution is limited to these specific territories in Southern Africa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Hemionitis contracta is characterized by its adaptability to diverse topographical gradients, specifically occupying a broad altitudinal spectrum. This species thrives across a significant vertical range, establishing itself in habitats situated from a minimum elevation of 100 m AMSL to a maximum elevation of 1525 m AMSL. This wide elevational distribution suggests a versatile capacity to tolerate varying climatic conditions, soil compositions, and moisture levels found throughout these different mountain and lowland zones.

Elevational range max:

1525 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Hemionitis contracta is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural survival strategies, it is classified as a cryptophyte, meaning its regenerative buds are protected below the soil surface during unfavorable conditions. Specifically, its life form is identified as a geophyte, utilizing underground organs to endure environmental stressors and facilitate its long-term survival within its habitat.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hemioniis contracta is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, manifesting as both a simple herb and a forb. This species is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing behavior and functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, as it maintains a terrestrial existence. In terms of stature, it is a relatively small plant, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.15 m to a maximum of 0.3 m. While its ecological niche can encompass aquatic, semiaquatic, or terrestrial habitats, its fundamental structural habit is that of a low-growing, non-woody terrestrial herb.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.3 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Hemionitis contracta has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer.

Anticancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Hemionitis contracta has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Extracts.

Extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology