Koelpinia linearis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Koelpinia linearis var. latifolia
• Koelpinia chrysoglochis
• Koelpinia linearis var. filiformis
• Lapsana koelpinia
• Rhagadiolus koelpinia
• Koelpinia latifolia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Koelpinia linearis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling under the order Asterales. Finally, it is a member of the family Asteraceae and is situated within the genus Koelpinia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution that spans across several distinct regions. In Southwestern Europe, its presence is specifically noted within the borders of Spain. Moving toward Eastern Europe, the species can be found throughout Central European Russia and South European Russia. The range extends further into the territory of Ukraine. Finally, the distribution reaches into Northern Africa, where it is documented in Algeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Koelpinia linearis is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse range of landscapes, spanning from disturbed agricultural areas like crop fields to more rugged, natural environments including hills, mountains, deserts, semideserts, and stony places. This species exhibits a specific altitudinal distribution, typically found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 450 m AMSL to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL. Within this vertical gradient, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 725 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-altitude terrains where it can adapt to both arid and rocky substrates.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

725 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

450 m AMSL

Habitat :

crop fields, desert, hills, mountains, semidesert, stony places

Life history

The life history of Koeplinia linearis is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental progression from germination to seed production within a single growing season. Functioning as a therophyte, it survives the unfavorable periods of its environment primarily through the production of seeds, which remain dormant until conditions are suitable for growth. This life form is further classified as a therophyte, emphasizing its strategy of completing its reproductive cycle rapidly before the onset of seasonal stress.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Koelpinia linearis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, functioning as an independent organism without parasitic dependencies. This plant exhibits a versatile habitat range, being capable of thriving in aquatic, semiaquatic, or terrestrial environments. It maintains a relatively low stature, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 0.4 m. Furthermore, the species is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, maintaining its structural integrity within its ecosystem.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.4 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Koelpinia linearis is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and the production of minute seeds. The flowering period is concentrated in the month of April, with the flowering start and end both occurring within this month, although the species exhibits potential variability across the calendar year. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds with highly uniform mass characteristics; the seed mass remains constant at a mean, maximum, and minimum value of 0.00199 g, indicating a very consistent and lightweight seed size for the species.

Flowering time :

Apr

Seed mass mean:

0.00199 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Koelpinia linearis has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antitumor.

Antimicrobial

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

Antitumor

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society