Lippia multiflora

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several nations within the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, it can be found growing in the landscapes of Benin and Burkina. Its presence also extends to the coastal and inland areas of Gambia. Furthermore, the species is documented to inhabit parts of Ghana. Finally, its geographical range includes the country of Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Lippia multiflora is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and maintain a stable presence within its ecological niche. Its structural development is defined by its life forms, exhibiting characteristics of both phanerophytes, which allow for significant vertical growth through woody stems, and chamaephyte tendencies, where some parts of the plant remain close to the soil surface. This dual life form strategy enables the species to adapt to varying environmental stressors, balancing robust structural height with resilient, low-growing components.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lippia multiflora is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub. This plant functions as a self-supporting, independent organism, meaning it is neither a parasite nor an epiphyte, as it maintains a terrestrial lifestyle. In terms of its physical dimensions, the species typically reaches an average plant height of 2.5 m, though it can grow to a maximum height of approximately 3.6576 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3.657644477 m

Plant height mean:

2.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lippia multiflora is characterized by its metabolic efficiency and nutrient acquisition strategies. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells, a mechanism typical of many woody shrubs in its family. Regarding its nitrogen metabolism, the species is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with rhizobia or other diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a bioavailable form; instead, it relies on the uptake of inorganic nitrogen sources, such as nitrates and ammonium, from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Lippia multiflora is facilitated through the production of seeds that exhibit highly consistent physical characteristics. The reproductive output of the plant is characterized by a precise seed mass, with the mean seed mass recorded at 0.00027 g. This uniformity is reflected in the extreme narrowness of its weight distribution, as both the maximum and minimum seed mass values are identical at 0.00027 g. Such consistent seed mass suggests a highly regulated developmental process during seed maturation, ensuring that each individual propagule maintains a standardized weight for dispersal and germination.

Seed mass mean:

0.00027 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lippia multiflora has 1 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. L'Encephale
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
3. Phytochemistry
4. Food chemistry

Chemicals

Lippia multiflora has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CARVACROL, Flavonoids, Isonuomioside A, Luteolin 7-O-glucuronide, Nuomioside A.

CARVACROL

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Heliyon

Isonuomioside A

1. Food chemistry

Luteolin 7-O-glucuronide

1. Food chemistry

Nuomioside A

1. Food chemistry

Tannins

1. Heliyon

Terpineol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Verbascoside

1. Food chemistry

isoverbascoside

1. Food chemistry

Activities

Lippia multiflora has 8 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidepressant, Antiepileptic, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Antidepressant

1. Heliyon

Antiepileptic

1. Heliyon

Antifungal

1. Heliyon

Antimicrobial

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Heliyon

Antispasmodic

1. Heliyon

Cytotoxic

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Tranquilizer

1. L'Encephale

Conditions

Lippia multiflora has 9 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Plasmodium falciparum, abdominal cramps, antidepressant, antioxidant, antispasmodic.

Plasmodium falciparum

1. Phytochemistry

Abdominal cramps

1. L'Encephale

Antidepressant

1. Heliyon

Antioxidant

1. Heliyon

Antispasmodic

1. Heliyon

Epilepsy

1. Heliyon

Malaria

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Seizures

1. Heliyon

Status epilepticus

1. Heliyon

Preparations

Lippia multiflora has 9 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 20% v/v preparation of lippia oil, conventional tea decoction, dichloromethane extract, essential oil, herbal infusion.

20% v/v preparation of lippia oil

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conventional tea decoction

1. L'Encephale

Dichloromethane extract

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Essential oil

1. Phytochemistry

Herbal infusion

1. Food chemistry

Hexane extract

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Lippia oil

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Methanol extract

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Methanol extracts

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology