Marsh Barbel

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• hygrophila
• Gokulakanta
• Kokilasha
• Marsh Barbel

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Asteracantha longifolia
• Hygrophila spinosa
• Hygrophila longifolia var. palaticolorata
• Asteracantha auriculata
• Asteracantha lindaviana
• Asteracantha macracantha
• Tenoria undulata
• Barleria auriculata
• Barleria glabrata
• Barleria hexacantha
• Barleria hexacantha
• Barleria macracantha
• Hygrophila lindaviana
• Hygrophila schulli var. alba

Regional and Traditional Names

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 Lamiales and the family Acanthaceae. Finally, it is taxonomically identified under the genus Hygrophila.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical presence across several nations within the West Tropical Africa region. It is documented to grow naturally in the country of Benin. Furthermore, its distribution extends into Burkina and the Gambia. The plant is also found within the borders of Ghana. Finally, its range includes the territory of Guinea-Bissau.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Hygrophila auriculata is characterized by its preference for seasonally inundated environments, typically thriving in marshy areas, shallow ponds, ditches, and along the edges of water bodies where soil moisture is consistently high. It functions effectively as a pioneer species in disturbed wetland habitats, often colonizing muddy banks and slow-moving water margins. This plant occupies a specific altitudinal niche, maintaining a presence within an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 90 m AMSL to a maximum of 610 m AMSL. Its distribution is closely tied to hydrological cycles, as it relies on periodic flooding to facilitate seed dispersal and maintain the saturated substrate necessary for its growth and reproduction.

Elevational range max:

610 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

90 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Hygrophila auriculata is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, completing its biological cycle within a single growing season. Functioning primarily as a therophyte, the species survives through seed production, which allows it to endure unfavorable environmental conditions before germinating to restart its cycle. This life form is further supported by its status as a therophyte, indicating a strategy where the plant's survival is heavily dependent on the rapid development of its life cycle from seed to maturity.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Hygrophila auriculata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, typically functioning as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber or liana. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior and operates as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies. The plant displays significant variability in its stature, with a minimum height of 0.6 m, a mean height of approximately 1.25 m, and a maximum height reaching up to 1.828822238 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.828822238 m

Plant height mean:

1.25 m

Plant height min:

0.6 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Hygrophila auriculata is characterized by its ability to thrive in seasonally inundated or wetland environments, demonstrating specialized adaptations to fluctuating water levels and soil conditions. As a member of the Acanthaceae family, its metabolic processes are geared toward rapid growth in high-moisture habitats, utilizing efficient photosynthetic pathways to support its herbaceous structure. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, typically found in leguminous species, and therefore relies on the uptake of available nitrates and ammonium from the surrounding substrate. Its physiological resilience is further evidenced by its capacity to manage osmotic stress, allowing it to maintain cellular turgidity and metabolic activity even during transitions between saturated and semi-dry states.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Hygrophila auriculata is primarily achieved through the production of seeds, which exhibit significant variability in their physical dimensions. The seed mass of this species is characterized by a wide range, reflecting diverse developmental or environmental factors. On average, the seed mass is approximately 0.0096225 g, though individual seeds can fluctuate significantly from a minimum of 0.00153 g to a maximum of 0.02658 g. This variation in seed weight is a critical component of its reproductive strategy, influencing dispersal mechanisms and initial seedling establishment in its natural habitat.

Seed mass max:

0.02658 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0096225 g

Seed mass min:

0.00153 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Hygrophila auriculata has 3 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed, leaf, root.

Seed

1. Heliyon
2. TheScientificWorldJournal

Leaf

1. Journal of inflammation research

Root

1. Indian journal of experimental biology

Chemicals

Hygrophila auriculata has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Betulin, Flavonoids, Steroids, Terpenoids, Cardiac Glycosides.

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Fitoterapia
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Pharmacognosy reviews
3. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

Steroids

1. Ancient science of life
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

Terpenoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Pharmacognosy reviews

Cardiac Glycosides

1. Ancient science of life

Flavonoid

1. Heliyon

Glycosides

1. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

IRON

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Lupeol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Phenols

1. Ancient science of life

Activities

Hygrophila auriculata has 27 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antitumor, Aphrodisiac, Analgesic, Anthelmintic.

Antioxidant

1. Heliyon
2. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences
3. Pharmaceutical biology

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke
2. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

Aphrodisiac

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Pharmacognosy reviews

Analgesic

1. Journal of inflammation research

Anthelmintic

1. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Anticataract

1. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

Antidiabetic

1. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Hygrophila auriculata has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include brain diseases, breast cancer, liver diseases.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations