stinking tutsan

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Stinking Tutsan

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Androsaemum hircinum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Malpighiales and the family Hypericaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Hypericum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across various regions of Europe. In Northern Europe, its presence is documented in both Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward Southwestern Europe, the species can be found throughout France. It also inhabits the Mediterranean islands, specifically within the Baleares. Finally, its range extends to the island of Corse.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Hypericum hircinum is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural development and growth habit, it exhibits a dual classification of life forms, functioning as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte. This indicates that while it possesses the capacity to maintain visible stem structures above the ground, its growth remains relatively low, typically staying close to the substrate.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hypericum hircinum is characterized by its diverse ecological adaptability and structural composition. This species exhibits a versatile habitat range, functioning as an aquatic, semiaquatic, or terrestrial plant depending on environmental conditions. It presents a distinct growth form categorized as a shrub or subshrub, developing a robust and woody structure rather than remaining non-woody. Furthermore, the plant is an independent organism, meaning it does not rely on a host for nutrients, operating as an independent species within its ecosystem.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Hypericum hircinum is characterized by its efficient carbon assimilation and specific morphological adaptations to its environment. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide into organic compounds through the Calvin cycle without the specialized spatial separation found in C4 or CAM plants. This metabolic strategy is closely linked to its leaf architecture, as evidenced by a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 243.2 cm²/g. This relatively high SLA value indicates a high ratio of leaf area to dry mass, suggesting a physiological investment in maximizing light interception and gas exchange surface area, which facilitates robust photosynthetic activity and rapid biomass accumulation.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

243.2 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Hypericum hircinum is characterized by the production of minute seeds that facilitate its dispersal and propagation. These seeds exhibit specific quantitative morphological traits, with a measured mean seed mass of 7.67e-05 g. The variation within the seed population is relatively narrow, as the individual seed masses range from a minimum of 6e-05 g to a maximum of 1e-04 g. This lightweight seed structure is indicative of the plant's reproductive strategy, allowing for efficient distribution within its ecological niche.

Seed mass max:

1e-04 g

Seed mass mean:

7.67e-05 g

Seed mass min:

6e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Hypericum hircinum 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. Journal of natural products
2. Microorganisms

Chemicals

Hypericum hircinum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Terpenes, quercetin.

Flavonoids

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Terpenes

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

quercetin

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Hypericum hircinum has 5 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidepressant, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antiviral.

Antidepressant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antifungal

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antimicrobial

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiviral

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Hypericum hircinum has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include burns, cough, migraine, respiratory diseases, rheumatism.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations