Launaea fragilis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lactuca fragilis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across several Mediterranean regions. In Southwestern Europe, its presence is noted specifically within the country of Spain. Moving toward Southeastern Europe, the species can be found inhabiting the island of Sicilia. Its range extends significantly into Northern Africa, where it grows in Algeria. Finally, the plant is also widely distributed throughout the North African nations of Egypt and Libya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Launaea fragilis is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. As a perennial, the plant establishes a robust physiological framework that allows it to endure varying environmental conditions over an extended period, often exhibiting a stable growth pattern that enables repeated reproductive cycles. This longevity facilitates the accumulation of biomass and the development of a perennial root or structural system that supports its continued existence and resilience within its natural habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Launaeua fragilis is characterized by its growth form as a herb, which lacks a woody structure, classified specifically as non-woody. It functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial habitat rather than occupying aquatic or semiaquatic environments. In terms of its structural habit, the plant is self-supporting, meaning it does not exhibit climbing behaviors such as being a liana or a vine, nor does it require external support through obligatory or facultative climbing mechanisms.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Launaea fragilis has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1-Heptacosanol, Fatty acids, n-Hexadecanoic acid, n-Tetracosanol-1.

1-Heptacosanol

1. Inflammopharmacology

Fatty acids

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

n-Hexadecanoic acid

1. Inflammopharmacology

n-Tetracosanol-1

1. Inflammopharmacology

Activities

Launaea fragilis has 5 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antiviral.

Antioxidant

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

Analgesic

1. Inflammopharmacology

Antibacterial

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

Antimicrobial

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

Antiviral

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

Medicinal Uses

Launaea fragilis has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include arthritis, diarrhea, inflammation, skin diseases.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations