sweet-sage

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• sweet-sage

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lantana maxima f. alba
• Lantana trifolia var. vulgata
• Camara trifolia var. indica
• Camara trifolia var. grandifolia
• Lantana mearnsii
• Lantana trifolia f. rubierensis
• Lantana undulata var. saltensis
• Lantana bipinnatifida
• Lantana cubensis
• Lantana celtidifolia
• Lantana fiebrigii
• Lantana fiebrigii var. puberulenta
• Lantana dubia
• Lantana dubia
• Lantana gogchana
• Lantana maxima
• Lantana mearnsii var. congolensis
• Lantana pilosa
• Lantana pittieri
• Lippia schliebenii
• Camara trifolia
• Lantana trifolia f. oppositifolia
• Lantana trifolia f. albiflora
• Camara trifolia f. rosea
• Lantana trifolia f. brevipes
• Lantana mearnsii var. punctata
• Lantana trifolia f. congolensis
• Lantana trifolia var. geminata
• Lantana trifolia f. hirsuta
• Lantana trifolia f. pluripedunculata
• Lantana trifolia var. quadriverticillata
• Lantana trifolia var. rigidiuscula

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 is positioned in the order Lamiales and the family Verbenaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is established within the genus Lantana as Lantana trifolia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several regions of the African continent. Within West Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in Benin and Guinea. Its presence is also well-documented throughout Nigeria and Togo. Moving toward the central part of the continent, the species extends into West-Central Tropical Africa. Specifically, its range includes the nation of Burundi.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lantana trifolia is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse environmental settings and a broad altitudinal distribution. This species thrives across a wide elevational range, extending from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 2080 m AMSL. Its habitat preferences are highly varied, allowing it to colonize a multitude of ecosystems ranging from disturbed anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) and open grasslands (Campo de Várzea) to the complex structures of the Cerrado (latu sensu). Furthermore, it is frequently integrated into various forest types, including riparian or gallery forests (Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria), floodplain forests (Floresta de Várzea), upland terra firme forests (Floresta de Terra Firmre), and seasonal semi-deciduous forests (Floresta Estacional Semidecidual), demonstrating a high degree of ecological plasticity across different moisture and canopy regimes.

Elevational range max:

2080 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Campo de Várzea, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta de Várzea, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual

Life history

The life history of Lantana trifolia is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habit, it exhibits a dual characterization within botanical frameworks, functioning as both a phanerophyte, where its stems extend above the ground, and a nanophanerophyte, reflecting its compact, shrubby nature. This plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that it retains its foliage throughout the year without a significant seasonal shedding period.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lantana trifolia is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub that functions as a self-supporting plant rather than an obligatory or facultative climber. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte, maintaining an independent existence without parasitic tendencies. The plant's physical stature varies significantly, with a minimum recorded height of 0.9 m, a maximum height reaching approximately 1.83 m, and a mean plant height of 2.75 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.828822238 m

Plant height mean:

2.75 m

Plant height min:

0.9 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lantana trifolia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process and metabolic efficiency under standard environmental conditions. As a C3 plant, it utilizes the Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide, typically favoring environments where moisture is sufficient to maintain open stomata for gas exchange. Furthermore, this species is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, and thus relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil to satisfy its nutritional requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lantana trifolia is driven by complex biological interactions characterized by biotic pollination syndromes. The plant primarily utilizes biotic mechanisms to facilitate fertilization, specifically relying on a diverse range of animal vectors. Within this framework, the pollination process is heavily dependent on insects, with bees playing a particularly significant role in the transfer of pollen between flowers. Following successful fertilization, the plant employs a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, where seeds are distributed by animals, ensuring the colonization of new habitats.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lantana trifolia 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 enzyme inhibition and medicinal chemistry
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Lantana trifolia has 3 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antinociceptive, Antipyretic.

Analgesic

1. Investigacion clinica

Antinociceptive

1. Investigacion clinica

Antipyretic

1. Investigacion clinica

Medicinal Uses

Lantana trifolia has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include dental caries, edema, periodontal diseases.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations