Mexican-indigo

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Mexican-indigo
• Mexican Honeysuckle

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sericographis neglecta
• Cyrtanthera ghiesbreghtiana
• Justicia scarlatina
• Sericographis ghiesbreghtiana
• Drejera willdenowiana
• Aphelandra ghiesbreghtiana
• Justicia atramentaria
• Jacobinia scarlatina
• Jacobinia atramentaria
• Jacobinia ghiesbreghtiana
• Jacobinia spicigera
• Jacobinia neglecta
• Justicia liebmanii
• Justicia ghiesbreghtiana

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. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Acanthaceae and falls under the genus Justicia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range that spans across multiple continents and regions. In Asia, it can be found within the Indian Subcontinent, specifically in Bangladesh. Its distribution extends to the Northwestern Pacific, where it is located in the Mariana Islands. Within North America, the species is present in the Northeastern and Central regions of Mexico. Additionally, its reach includes the Southeastern United States, particularly in Florida.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Justicia spicigera is characterized by its preference for specific moisture-rich and sheltered environments, primarily occurring within forest and riverine habitats. It thrives in these ecological niches where the availability of water and shade supports its growth patterns. Geographically, the species occupies a relatively narrow altitudinal band, maintaining an elevational range that begins at 300 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 500 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, riverine

Life history

The life history of Justicia spicigera is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial herb, it maintains a long-term presence in its native habitats, often regenerating through various vegetative or reproductive mechanisms that ensure its continued survival across different years. This perennial lifecycle enables the plant to establish robust root systems and structural stability, contributing to its ability to withstand seasonal fluctuations and re-emerge periodically to complete its developmental stages.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Justicia spicigera is characterized by a woody growth form, functioning as a self-supporting shrub or forb. It typically reaches an average plant height of 1.5 m and exhibits a terrestrial habit, existing as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant is non-climbing, maintaining a self-supporting structure without the need for lianas or vines to ascend.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Justicia spicigera is characterized by its metabolic processes and nutrient acquisition strategies, which are typical of many members of the Acanthaceae family. As a photosynthetic organism, it utilizes the C3 pathway to convert light energy, water, and atmospheric carbon dioxide into chemical energy through the synthesis of carbohydrates. Its physiological resource management is specifically defined by its relationship with soil nutrients; notably, Justicia spicigera is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (such as Rhizobium) required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its growth and metabolic vigor are strictly dependent on the availability of nitrates and ammonium present within the soil substrate. The plant manages its internal water potential through regulated transpiration and stomatal control, facilitating the transport of minerals and photosynthates via its vascular system to support its specialized secondary metabolism, which produces various bioactive compounds.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Justicia spicigera has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Journal of natural products
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Stem

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Justicia spicigera has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Kaempferitrin.

Kaempferitrin

1. Natural product research
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Justicia spicigera has 11 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic, Antimicrobial, Analgesic, Antihemolytic, Antinociceptive.

Cytotoxic

1. Proceedings of the Western Pharmacology Society
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Natural product communications
4. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antimicrobial

1. Natural product communications
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Analgesic

1. Natural product research

Antihemolytic

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antinociceptive

1. Natural product research

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiproliferative

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antitumor

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Apoptotic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cytostatic

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Justicia spicigera has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include HeLa cells, Trichinella spiralis, antineoplastic, cancer, edema.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations