Leucas cephalotes

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Leucas capitata
• Phlomis cephalotes var. angustifolia
• Phlomis cephalotes

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales, it is further categorized into the family Lamiaceae. Ultimately, its scientific classification concludes within the genus Leucas.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across several key regions of Asia. In Western Asia, its presence is noted within the borders of Afghanistan. It can also be found in the high-altitude regions of China, specifically in Tibet. Within the Indian Subcontinent, the species is distributed across Assam and throughout Bangladesh. Finally, its habitat extends to the rugged terrains of the East Himalaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Leucaena cephalotes is characterized by its specific altitudinal distribution, where it thrives within a distinct vertical niche. This species is primarily found at moderate elevations, maintaining a mean elevation of approximately 650 m AMSL. Its ecological range is bounded by a minimum elevation of 900 m AMSL and reaches a maximum limit of 1200 m AMSL, indicating its preference for specific montane or sub-montane environmental conditions within these parameters.

Elevational range max:

1200 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

650 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

900 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Leucas cephalotes is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning it completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. In terms of its structural growth strategy, the plant is classified as a therophyte, a life form defined by its reliance on specialized dormant seeds to survive unfavorable environmental conditions between growing seasons. This strategy allows the species to rapidly exploit available resources during its active period before returning to a seed state, ensuring its persistence in its ecological niche.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Leucas cephalotes is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically functioning as a forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing behavior and is classified as an independent organism, meaning it does not act as a parasite. In terms of its ecological habitat and positioning, the species is terrestrial rather than aquatic or epiphytic, maintaining a stable growth habit on land.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Leucas cephalotes is characterized by a flexible flowering phenology that allows for a broad reproductive window throughout the year. The flowering period typically begins in September, marking the onset of its seasonal reproductive activity. This flowering cycle continues through a sustained period of bloom, eventually reaching its conclusion in October. However, the species exhibits a highly variable flowering schedule, with the potential to produce flowers across a wide range of months, including January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, November, and December, depending on environmental conditions.

Flowering time :

Sep

Flowering time :

Oct

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Leucas cephalotes 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Leucas cephalotes has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include OLEANOLIC ACID, 5-Hydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavone, 7-Oxositosterol, 7-Oxostigmasterol, 7alpha-Hydroxysitosterol.

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies
2. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

5-Hydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavone

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

7-Oxositosterol

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

7-Oxostigmasterol

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

7alpha-Hydroxysitosterol

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

7alpha-Hydroxystigmasterol

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Anisofolin A

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Cosmosin

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Gonzalitosin I

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Phlomic acid

1. Physiology and molecular biology of plants : an international journal of functional plant biology

Activities

Leucas cephalotes has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antioxidant.

Antidiabetic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Leucas cephalotes has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include IDDM, LeiShmania donovani, Malaria, NIDDM, Plasmodium falciparum.

Iddm

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leishmania donovani

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Malaria

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Niddm

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Plasmodium falciparum

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Rift valley fever

1. Molecular diversity

Fever

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Preparations

Leucas cephalotes has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include chloroform extract, ethanol extract of leaves of Leucas cephalotes.

Chloroform extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ethanol extract of leaves of leucas cephalotes

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology