Lippia micromera

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across parts of Central America and the Caribbean. Within Central America, it can be found growing in the countries of Costa Rica, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Its presence also extends into the Caribbean region, where it is documented in Cuba. Additionally, the species is located in the Dominican Republic. Together, these regions define the natural range of this medicinal species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Lippia micromera is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Regarding its architectural growth patterns and life forms, the plant exhibits a dual classification within botanical life-form systems, manifesting as both a nanophanerophyte and a phanerophyte. This indicates a robust survival strategy where the plant can maintain woody stems or buds at various heights, enabling it to endure environmental fluctuations and sustain its long-term presence in its natural habitat.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

Morphologically, Lippia micromera is characterized as a woody shrub with a predominantly terrestrial growth habit. The plant typically attains a mean height of approximately 1.38 m and functions as a self-supporting organism rather than a climber, liana, or vine. It is an independent species, lacking parasitic tendencies, and maintains a terrestrial existence rather than an epiphytic one.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

1.38 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lippia micromera is characterized by its specific metabolic and nutritional strategies within its ecosystem. The plant utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning it fixes atmospheric carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle using the enzyme RuBisCO, a common mechanism for many woody shrubs in diverse climates. Regarding its nutrient acquisition processes, the species is not a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on the uptake of available nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system rather than forming symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lippia micromera is primarily driven by biotic mechanisms, relying on living organisms to facilitate the transfer of genetic material. The plant exhibits a clear pollination syndrome characterized by biotic interactions, where the transfer of pollen is mediated through biological agents rather than abiotic factors like wind or water. Specifically, the pollination process is heavily dependent on insects, which serve as the principal vectors for fertilization. This insect-mediated pollination involves a diverse range of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, moths, flies, and beetles, which are attracted to the plant's reproductive structures to ensure successful cross-pollination and subsequent seed production.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lippia micromera 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. Acta medica Philippina

Preparations

Lippia micromera has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include essential oils, leaf essential oil.

Essential oils

1. Acta medica Philippina

Leaf essential oil

1. Acta medica Philippina