Justicia insularis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant, Justicia insularis, is distributed across several regions within West Tropical Africa. Its presence is specifically documented in the country of Benin. Furthermore, the species can be found throughout the territory of Burkina. It also inhabits parts of Gambia and Ghana within the same geographical belt. Finally, its range extends to the nation of Guinea-Bissau.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Justicia insularis is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, completing its entire developmental cycle from germination to seed production within a single year. In terms of its growth habit and survival strategy, the species exhibits distinct life forms, functioning as a therophyte, which indicates that it survives unfavorable seasons primarily in the form of seeds. Additionally, its structural positioning within its habitat identifies it as a chamaephyte, a trait that influences how it manages its vegetative growth and maintains its biological presence throughout its short life cycle.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Justicia insularis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically categorized as a terrestrial plant that functions independently rather than as a parasite or epiphyte. As a self-supporting species, it does not exhibit climbing behavior. The plant's stature is relatively low, with height measurements ranging from a minimum of approximately 0.30 m to a maximum of 0.91 m, though its mean height is recorded at 1.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.914411119 m

Plant height mean:

1.5 m

Plant height min:

0.304803706 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Justicia insularis is characterized by complex metabolic processes typical of the Acanthaceae family, focusing on efficient resource acquisition and specialized secondary metabolite production. As an herbaceous or shrubby species, its physiological framework relies on a robust photosynthetic system capable of driving carbon fixation to support rapid growth in its specific ecological niches. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, the plant does not engage in symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria to convert atmospheric gases into organic forms; therefore, it is not a nitrogen fixer. This lack of nitrogen fixation capacity means that its physiological development and nitrogen assimilation are strictly dependent on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium present in the soil substrate through its root system. The plant manages its internal water potential and nutrient transport through specialized vascular tissues, balancing transpiration rates with stomatal conductance to maintain cellular homeostasis and support the synthesis of bioactive compounds.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Justicia insularis 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 ethnopharmacology
2. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Conditions

Justicia insularis has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include dysmenorrhea, fertility, infertility, menstrual cycle, ovarian cancer.

Dysmenorrhea

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fertility

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Infertility

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Menstrual cycle

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ovarian cancer

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Justicia insularis has 6 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extract, J. insularis extract, aqueous extract of the leaf mixture (ADHJ), aqueous extracts from the leaves, leaf mixture extract.

Aqueous extract

1. Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene
2. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

J. insularis extract

1. PloS one

Aqueous extract of the leaf mixture (adhj)

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Aqueous extracts from the leaves

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leaf mixture extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Plant extract

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)