Hemionitis viridis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cheilanthes macrophylla
• Oeosporangium viride
• Cheilanthes hastata var. canonica
• Cheilanthes hastata var. stenophylla
• Pellaea hastata var. glauca
• Pellaea viridis
• Pteridella viridis
• Cheilanthes viridis var. glauca
• Pellaea adiantoides
• Platyloma adiantoides
• Pteris adiantoides
• Pellaea viridis var. canonica
• Pteris hastifolia
• Cheilanthes viridis
• Cheilanthes viridis var. macrophylla
• Adiantum viride
• Allosorus viridis
• Cassebeera viridis
• Pellaea macrophylla
• Pellaea viridis var. glauca
• Allosorus adiantoides
• Pteris auriculata
• Pteris elliptica
• Pteris viridis

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Polypodiinae, it is categorized under the order Polypodiales. Finally, it is classified under the family Pteridaceae and the genus Hemionitis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several distinct regions. Within the Macaronesian islands, it can be found in the Azores, Madeira, and Cape Verde. Its range also extends into West-Central Tropical Africa. Specifically, populations are documented in the countries of Burundi and Rwanda. Consequently, this species maintains a presence in both Atlantic island ecosystems and African mainland territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Hemionitis viridis is defined by its broad adaptability across diverse topographical and vegetative landscapes. This species inhabits a significant elevational gradient, ranging from sea level at a minimum of 10 m AMSL to a maximum altitude of 1980 m AMSL. Its distribution is closely tied to specific ecological niches, primarily occurring within the specialized environments of Campo Rupestre and the moisture-rich ecosystems of Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial). This range of habitats suggests the plant is capable of thriving in both the well-drained, rocky terrains of rupestrian grasslands and the high-humidity conditions characteristic of ombrophilous forests.

Elevational range max:

1980 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

10 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campo Rupestre, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Hemionitis viridis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. It functions as a cryptophyte, utilizing specialized survival strategies to protect its vital organs during unfavorable periods. Specifically, its biological structure is classified as a geophyte, meaning it relies on underground storage organs to endure environmental stresses and facilitate regrowth.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hemioniis viridis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This species is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber or a parasite, maintaining an independent lifestyle. It is strictly a terrestrial organism, lacking aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits a relatively low profile, with a height that ranges from a minimum of 0.15 m to a maximum of 0.34 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 0.75 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.34 m

Plant height mean:

0.75 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological development of Hemioniis viridis is characterized by a distinct foliar morphology that governs its photosynthetic capacity and water regulation. The plant exhibits a significant range in its vegetative structure, specifically within its leaf dimensions. The leaf length typically fluctuates between a minimum of 25 cm and a maximum of 40 cm, providing a substantial surface area for light interception. Concurrently, the leaf width is relatively narrow, ranging from a minimum of 0.7 cm to a maximum of 2 cm. This elongated, linear leaf profile suggests an adaptive physiological mechanism for managing transpiration rates and optimizing gas exchange within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

40 cm

Leaf length min:

25 cm

Leaf width max:

2 cm

Leaf width min:

0.7 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

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

Antibacterial

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Preparations

Hemionitis viridis 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