Lippia lupulina

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lippia francensis
• Lippia claussenii
• Lippia lupulina f. alba
• Lippia lupulina var. albiflora
• Lippia lupulina var. paraguariensis

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified in the order Lamiales and the family Verbenaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Lippia, specifically as the species Lippia lupulina.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions of South America. In the western part of the continent, its presence is recorded in Bolivia. The species is also widely spread throughout Brazil, covering a vast range of territories. Specifically, it can be found in the North, South, and Southeast regions of Brazil. Furthermore, its habitat extends into the West-Central part of the country.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lippia lupulina is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse array of specialized environments, ranging from the open landscapes of Campo Limpo and Campo Rupestre to the more complex ecosystems of Campinarana and Campo de Altitude. It is frequently found within the broader Cerrado (latto sensu) biome and the Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, demonstrating significant adaptability to varying vegetation structures. This species occupies a broad altitudinal gradient, establishing itself from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to an elevation of 500 m AMSL, allowing it to persist in both lowland and mid-altitude ecological niches.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campinarana, Campo de Altitude, Campo Limpo, Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Estacional Semidecidual

Life history

The life history of Lippia lupulina is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Structurally, it is classified as a hemicryptophyte, a life form in which the perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or organic matter during unfavorable conditions. This hemicryptophytic growth habit enables the species to effectively navigate its environmental cycles and maintain a continuous presence within its ecological niche.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lippia lupulina is characterized by a growth form primarily classified as a subshrub or herb, exhibiting a non-woody structure. This plant is not a climber, functioning as a self-supporting organism, and it exists as an independent species without parasitic behavior. Regarding its ecological positioning, it is a terrestrial plant and does not exhibit epiphytic qualities, such as being a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte. While it can occupy various moisture gradients, its morphological classification spans across aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial habitats.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Lippia lupulina has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CARVACROL, THYMOL, endo-Fenchol.

CARVACROL

1. BMC research notes

THYMOL

1. BMC research notes

endo-Fenchol

1. BMC research notes