golden samphire

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• golden samphire

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aster crithmifolius
• Helenium crithmoides
• Inula crassifolia
• Inula crithmifolia
• Limbarda tricuspis
• Limbarda crithmoides subsp. crithmoides
• Inula crithmoides subsp. mediterranea
• Limbarda crithmifolia
• Senecio crithmifolius
• Inula crithmoides subsp. longifolia
• Limbarda crithmoides subsp. longifolia
• Inula acutifolia
• Eritheis maritima
• Senecio succulentus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Limbarda.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across several regions of Europe. In Northern Europe, its presence can be documented in both Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species is also found growing within Germany. Its distribution extends into Southwestern Europe, specifically inhabiting the Baleares islands. Finally, the plant is recorded in the Mediterranean region on the island of Corse.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Limbarda crithmoides is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Structurally, it exhibits a chamaephyte life form, meaning its regenerative buds are located close to the soil surface, often protected by the ground or a small amount of organic matter. This chamaephyte classification is consistent across its morphological development, defining its growth habit as a low-growing species that maintains its presence in its ecological niche over long durations.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Limarda crithmoides is characterized by a growth form that functions as a woody subshrub, exhibiting a sturdy and self-supporting structure. Rather than behaving as a climber, liana, or vine, the plant is categorized as a self-supporting entity that does not require external support to maintain its upright posture. In terms of its ecological habit, it is a terrestrial species, existing as an independent organism that does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. Its physical constitution is defined by its woodiness, distinguishing it from purely non-woody herbs.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Limbarda crithmoides is characterized by a metabolic framework governed by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and water-use efficiency. Under this C3 pathway, the plant utilizes the enzyme RuBisCO to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide directly into a three-carbon compound during the Calvin cycle, a mechanism that typically requires consistent access to moisture to maintain stomatal conductance. This physiological reliance on C3 metabolism influences its adaptive strategies toward environmental stressors, as the plant must balance the energetic costs of photorespiration against the necessity of gas exchange for biomass production. Consequently, its overall physiological performance, including nutrient uptake and growth rates, is intrinsically linked to the efficiency of this primary photosynthetic mechanism within its specific ecological niche.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Limbarda crithmoides is characterized by specific seed morphology and dispersal mechanisms that facilitate its propagation. The plant produces relatively lightweight seeds, with a recorded mean seed mass of 0.000341 g. These seeds exhibit a range of mass variations, with the smallest individual seeds weighing approximately 0.00028 g and the largest reaching a maximum of 0.00037 g. Regarding its dispersal strategy, the species primarily utilizes an anemochorous syndrome, meaning its seeds are adapted for dispersal by wind.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Seed mass max:

0.00037 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000341 g

Seed mass min:

0.00028 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Limbarda crithmoides has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CALCIUM OXALATE, Flavonoids, Monoterpenes, Sesquiterpenes, Tannins.

CALCIUM OXALATE

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoids

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Monoterpenes

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Sesquiterpenes

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Tannins

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Limbarda crithmoides has 3 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include essential oils, leaf extracts, stem extracts.

Essential oils

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Leaf extracts

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Stem extracts

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)