Ceylon Hydrolea

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hydrolea zeylanica var. glabra
• Steris aquatica
• Nama zeylanica
• Beloanthera oppositifolia
• Steris javanica
• Hydrolea javanica
• Hydrolea inermis
• Hydrolea arayatensis
• Hydrolea ceilonica

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls into the order Solanales and the family Hydroleaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Hydrolea, to which the species Hydrolea zeylanica belongs.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across several significant regions. In East Tropical Africa, its presence is specifically noted within Tanzania. Moving toward the Asian continent, it is found throughout various parts of China, including South-Central, Southeast, and the island of Hainan. Furthermore, the species extends its range into Eastern Asia, specifically occurring in Taiwan. Together, these locations highlight a wide ecological footprint for Hydrolea zeylanica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Hydrolea zeylanica is characterized by a highly specific altitudinal niche, as the species is strictly confined to a precise elevational range. Based on ecological data, this plant maintains a consistent presence at an elevation of 1000 m AMSL, with its minimum, mean, and maximum elevational values all converging at this single point. This lack of altitudinal variance suggests that the species is an altitudinal specialist, likely adapted to the unique microclimates, atmospheric pressures, and temperature regimes found specifically at the 1000-meter mark. Such a narrow ecological breadth indicates that its survival is closely tied to the stable environmental conditions provided by this specific mountain or highland stratum.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Hydrolea zeylanica is characterized by a variable lifecycle, as it can function as an annual, biennial, or perennial depending on the environmental conditions and habitat stability. This variability allows the species to adapt to fluctuating moisture levels and seasonal shifts within its ecosystem. The plant undergoes a developmental progression from seed germination to maturity, navigating through stages that may encompass a single growing season or extend over several years. This flexible reproductive strategy ensures survival in diverse ecological niches, where the plant may complete its life cycle rapidly in ephemeral habitats or establish a more permanent, long-term presence in more stable environments.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Hydrolea zeylanica is characterized by a non-woody, herbaceous growth form, functioning as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. It is primarily a terrestrial plant that exhibits a self-supporting habit rather than climbing as a liana or vine. In terms of stature, the plant displays significant variability in height, ranging from a minimum of 0 m to a maximum of 1.5 m, with a mean plant height of approximately 0.3 m. As a terrestrial herb, it maintains a non-epiphytic existence, growing directly within its soil-based habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.3 m

Plant height min:

0 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Hydrolea zeylanica is characterized by its C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and energy production. The plant exhibits significant morphological variation in its foliage, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 10 cm, maintaining an average length of 6.5 cm. Similarly, the leaf width displays a specific range, starting from a minimum of 0.5 cm up to a maximum of 2.5 cm, with a mean width of 1.5 cm. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized physiological mechanisms or symbiotic relationships required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for its growth.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

6.5 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

2.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

1.5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Hydrolea zeylanica is characterized by the development of specific fruit structures that serve as the primary vessel for seed dispersal. The morphological characteristics of these fruits are highly consistent, showing no significant variation in size across different specimens. Specifically, the fruit length is uniform, with a minimum, mean, and maximum value all recorded at exactly 0.5 cm. This precise measurement of 0.5 cm indicates a standardized reproductive output essential to the plant's life cycle and its ability to propagate within its natural habitat.

Fruit length max:

0.5 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Hydrolea zeylanica 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. Heliyon

Chemicals

Hydrolea zeylanica has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, GAMOLENIC ACID, Gallic acid, Perillartine, RUTIN.

Flavonoids

1. Heliyon

GAMOLENIC ACID

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Gallic acid

1. Heliyon

Perillartine

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

RUTIN

1. Heliyon

caffeic acid

1. Heliyon

ferulic acid

1. Heliyon

lidocaine

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

quercetin

1. Heliyon

r-limonene

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Hydrolea zeylanica has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Free-Radical Scavenging.

Antidiabetic

1. Cellular signalling
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Free-Radical Scavenging

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Hydrolea zeylanica has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cognitive dysfunctions, cognitive impairment, dementia, insulin resistance, malnutrition.

Cognitive dysfunctions

1. Heliyon

Cognitive impairment

1. Heliyon

Dementia

1. Heliyon

Insulin resistance

1. Cellular signalling

Malnutrition

1. Heliyon

Oxidative stress

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Hydrolea zeylanica has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include HZH, green and leafy vegetables.

Hzh

1. Cellular signalling

Green and leafy vegetables

1. Heliyon