rice paddy herb

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Finger Grass
• Rice Paddy Herb

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ambulia aromatica
• Stemodia punctata
• Ambulia gratissima
• Limnophila aromaticoides
• Terebinthina aromatica
• Limnophila punctata var. subracemosa
• Limnophila chamaedrifolia
• Limnophila punctata
• Limnophila chinensis subsp. aromatica
• Gratiola aromatica
• Terebinthina aromatica var. punctata
• Antirrhinum aquaticum
• Limnophila gratissima

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Lamiales, it is classified under the family Plantaginaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Limnophila.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide distribution across several key regions in Eastern Asia. In China, its presence is noted in the Hainan province as well as throughout China Southeast. The species also extends into Japan, which is a significant part of its eastern range. Furthermore, it can be found across the Korean peninsula. Finally, its geographical reach includes the Nansei-shoto islands.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Limnophiila aromatica is characterized by its distribution across diverse montane landscapes, where it occupies a specific altitudinal niche within mountain ecosystems. This species thrives within a defined elevational range, typically found at altitudes starting from a minimum of 600 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 2000 m AMSL. This vertical distribution suggests an adaptability to varying atmospheric pressures and temperature gradients common in mid-to-high elevation zones. Within these parameters, the plant interacts with specific microclimates and soil compositions that support its growth, playing a functional role in its respective habitat's biological community.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

600 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Limnophila aromatica is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. As an annual species, it does not undergo a period of dormancy to reappear in subsequent years from the same individual; instead, it relies entirely on the production and dispersal of seeds to ensure the continuity of its population. The cycle begins when seeds germinate in favorable soil conditions, leading to rapid vegetative growth during the favorable months of the year. Once the plant reaches physiological maturity, it shifts its energy toward reproductive development, producing flowers and eventually setting seeds. After the seeds are shed, the parent plant completes its biological mission and dies, leaving the next generation to wait for the next seasonal cycle to begin.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Limnopila aromatica is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It is a self-supporting plant that lacks climbing tendencies, such as being a liana or vine, and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. In terms of its ecological habit, the species exhibits a versatile lifestyle, ranging from aquatic to semiaquatic and terrestrial environments, though it is specifically classified as a terrestrial epiphyte. The plant's stature is relatively modest, with a height that varies from a minimum of 0 m to a maximum of 0.7 m, maintaining a mean plant height of approximately 0.5 m.

Aquatic :

aquatic

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.7 m

Plant height mean:

0.5 m

Plant height min:

0 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Limnophelia aromatica is characterized by distinct morphological variations in its foliage and specific metabolic limitations regarding nutrient acquisition. The leaf dimensions exhibit significant plasticity, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 5 cm, maintaining a mean length of approximately 3 cm. The width of these leaves fluctuates between a minimum of 0.3 cm and a maximum of 1.5 cm, contributing to the plant's overall photosynthetic surface area. In terms of nutrient cycling and metabolic processes, the plant does not possess the physiological capacity for nitrogen fixation, meaning it relies on external sources of nitrogen rather than biological fixation from the atmosphere.

Leaf length max:

5 cm

Leaf length mean:

3 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf width max:

1.5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.3 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Limnopila aromatica is characterized by the production of specific fruit structures that serve as the primary vehicle for seed dispersal. The fruit exhibits a high degree of morphological consistency, maintaining a uniform dimension across observed samples. Specifically, the fruit length is remarkably stable, with a mean measurement of 0.6 cm, which corresponds precisely to both the minimum and maximum recorded values of 0.6 cm. This lack of variance in fruit length suggests a highly standardized reproductive output within the species.

Fruit length max:

0.6 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Limnophila aromatica has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 5,3'-Dihydroxy-7,8,2'-trimethoxyisoflavone, Flavonoid, Flavonoids, Gardenin B, Isothymusin.

5,3'-Dihydroxy-7,8,2'-trimethoxyisoflavone

1. World journal of microbiology & biotechnology

Flavonoid

1. Journal of invertebrate pathology

Flavonoids

1. Journal of invertebrate pathology

Gardenin B

1. World journal of microbiology & biotechnology

Isothymusin

1. World journal of microbiology & biotechnology

Jasmolin II

1. World journal of microbiology & biotechnology

Nevadensin

1. World journal of microbiology & biotechnology

Norethindrone acetate

1. World journal of microbiology & biotechnology

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. World journal of microbiology & biotechnology

Polyphenolic

1. Journal of invertebrate pathology

Activities

Limnophila aromatica has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Conditions

Limnophila aromatica has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Bacillus subtilis

1. World journal of microbiology & biotechnology

Escherichia coli

1. World journal of microbiology & biotechnology

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

1. World journal of microbiology & biotechnology

Preparations

Limnophila aromatica has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 100% ethanolic extract, aqueous extracts.

100% ethanolic extract

1. World journal of microbiology & biotechnology

Aqueous extracts

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin