Common Leucas

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Common leucas
• Common thumba
• Wild ocinum

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Leucas obliqua
• Leucas plukenetii
• Leucas dimidiata
• Phlomis aspera
• Phlomis esculenta
• Phlomis dimidiata
• Phlomis obliqua
• Phlomis plukenetii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is established within the genus Leucas.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range that spans several distinct regions across Asia and Africa. In the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in the state of Assam. Its presence extends to East Asia, specifically within China Southeast and the island of Hainan. Moving toward the African continent, the species is located in Northeast Tropical Africa within Eritrea. Finally, its distribution reaches the Western Indian Ocean, where it is documented in Mauritius.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Leucas aspera is characterized by a lifecycle that is classified as annual, meaning it completes its entire reproductive cycle within a single growing season. In terms of its structural development and survival strategy, the plant functions as a therophyte, completing its life cycle through the production of seeds that ensure survival through dormant periods. This life form indicates that the plant's perennating organs are located within the seed, allowing it to persist in various environments before germinating to begin its rapid growth and flowering stages once more.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Leucas aspera is characterized by a non-woody, herbaceous growth form, presenting as a self-supporting herb rather than a climber or a parasite. As an independent organism, it does not function as an epiphyte or a parasite, maintaining a terrestrial habit across its growth cycle. The plant typically reaches a maximum height of approximately 0.6 m, displaying a structural composition that is categorized as non-wooded. While its ecological niche can span various moisture levels, its primary growth habit is terrestrial.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Leucas aspera has 2 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, flower.

Leaf

1. Biotechnologia
2. Archives of Razi Institute
3. Acta microbiologica et immunologica Hungarica

Flower

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Leucas aspera has 26 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Phenols, Tannins, (-)-Chicanine, Asperphenamate.

Flavonoids

1. Biotechnologia
2. Archives of Razi Institute

Phenols

1. Biotechnologia
2. Archives of Razi Institute

Tannins

1. Biotechnologia
2. Archives of Razi Institute

(-)-Chicanine

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Asperphenamate

1. Journal of natural products

CHLOROFORM

1. Parasitology research

Chrysoeriol

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

ETHYL ACETATE

1. Parasitology research

Flavonoid

1. Pharmaceutical biology

HEXANE

1. Parasitology research

Activities

Leucas aspera has 10 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antimalarial, Antiproliferative, Antipyretic.

Antimicrobial

1. Archives of Razi Institute
2. Ancient science of life
3. Frontiers in microbiology

Antioxidant

1. Archives of Razi Institute
2. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
3. Pharmaceutical biology

Antimalarial

1. Journal of infection in developing countries

Antiproliferative

1. Biotechnologia

Antipyretic

1. Archives of Razi Institute

Antiviral

1. Molecular biotechnology

Free-Radical Scavenging

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Hepatoprotective

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Insecticide

1. Archives of Razi Institute

Phytotoxic

1. Journal of plant physiology

Medicinal Uses

Leucas aspera has 20 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Plasmodium falciparum, Breast cancer, COVID-19, Candida albicans, E. coli.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations