Lesser Yellow-head

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Gnidia kraussiana
• Gnidia hoepfneriana
• Lasiosiphon kerstingii
• Lasiosiphon hoepfnerianus
• Gnidia rorida
• Gnidia djurica
• Lasiosiphon affinis
• Gnidia usinjensis
• Lasiosiphon djuricus
• Lasiosiphon kraussianus var. angustifolius
• Lasiosiphon kraussianus var. glabratus
• Lasiosiphon kraussianus var. pubescens
• Lasiosiphon villosus
• Lasiosiphon kraussianus var. villosus
• Gnidia kraussiana var. pubescens
• Lasiosiphon passargei
• Gnidia kerstingii
• Gnidia kraussiana var. glabrata
• Gnidia passargei
• Lasiosiphon roridus

Sources: Wikidata

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 organized under the order Malvales and the family Thymelaeaceae. Finally, it is specifically identified by the genus Lasiosiphon.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is distributed across several countries within the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, its presence has been documented in the nation of Benin. It can also be found growing within the borders of Burkina Faso. Furthermore, the species extends into the territories of Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, its geographical range includes the country of Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lasiosiphon kraussianus is defined by its remarkable adaptability to a wide spectrum of altitudinal gradients, allowing it to occupy diverse topographical niches. This species exhibits a broad ecological tolerance, thriving across an expansive elevational range that begins at low-lying areas as low as 30 m AMSL and extends into high-altitude montane environments reaching a maximum of 2200 m AMSL. This vast vertical distribution suggests that the plant can withstand significant variations in temperature, atmospheric pressure, and moisture availability, enabling it to persist in both lowland tropical or subtropical settings and much cooler, high-elevation habitats.

Elevational range max:

2200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

30 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Lasiosiphon kraussianus is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural life form, it is classified as a chamaephyte, a growth habit where the permanent buds are located close to the soil surface, often protected by a layer of leaf litter or substrate. This specific life form positioning helps the plant manage environmental stressors while maintaining its perennial lifecycle over time.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lasiosiphon kraussianus is characterized by its growth form as a woody herb, exhibiting a self-supporting structure that does not require climbing. This plant functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte, as it maintains a strictly terrestrial habitat. In terms of stature, the species displays significant variation in plant height, ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 3 m, with an average height of approximately 2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

2 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lasiosiphon kraussianus is characterized by its metabolic adaptations to semi-arid environments, where efficient nutrient uptake and water management are critical for survival. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with rhizobia necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a bioavailable form, meaning it relies on the assimilation of nitrates and ammonium present in the soil. Its physiological processes are geared toward maintaining osmotic balance and optimizing photosynthetic efficiency under fluctuating moisture levels, often employing specialized cellular mechanisms to mitigate oxidative stress during periods of high irradiance and heat. This non-fixing status necessitates a more direct dependency on the soil's existing nitrogen pool to support its growth and reproductive development.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lasiosiphon kraussianus is characterized by a multifaceted approach to seed dispersal, utilizing several distinct mechanisms to ensure species propagation. The plant exhibits an autochorous dispersal syndrome, which indicates that the primary method of seed release is driven by its own internal biological processes. Within this reproductive strategy, the dispersal patterns are categorized through diverse modes, including anemochorous (wind), zoochorous (animals), autochorous (self-dispersal), hydrochorous (water), and unspecialized methods. Furthermore, the dispersal dynamics are expanded by a complex array of secondary traits, encompassing anthropochorous (human-mediated), endozoochorous (ingestion by animals), epizoochorous (attachment to animal exteriors), myrmecocorous (ant-mediated), and continued reliance on autochorous and unspecialized processes. This combination of mechanisms allows the plant to leverage environmental factors and biological vectors to maximize its colonization potential.

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lasiosiphon kraussianus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Lasiosiphon kraussianus has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Gnidilatidin, Kraussianin.

Gnidilatidin

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Kraussianin

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Lasiosiphon kraussianus has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antineoplastic, Mutagenic.

Antineoplastic

1. Journal of natural products

Mutagenic

1. Mutation research

Preparations