Lippia rotundifolia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Lippia rotundifolia, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Lamiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Verbenaceae and falls under the genus Lippia.

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, it can be found specifically within the borders of Bolivia. Its presence is also widespread across Brazil, spanning multiple distinct territories. This includes significant populations in the West-Central region and the Northeast region of the country. Furthermore, the species extends its reach into the Southeast region of Brazil.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lippia rotundifolia is characterized by its presence across a diverse range of Brazilian biomes and distinct vegetation structures. This species exhibits significant ecological plasticity, thriving in open and transitional environments such as Campo Limpo and Campo Rupestre, where it can adapt to the specific soil and light conditions of these landscapes. Furthermore, it is integrated into the broader Cerrado (lato sensu) ecosystem, occupying various niches including the humid environments of Floresta Ciliar or Galeria and the more seasonal dynamics of Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual. Its distribution also extends to specialized habitats like Palmeirais, demonstrating its ability to persist within both open scrublands and more complex forest formations.

Habitat :

Campo Limpo, Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Palmeiral

Life history

The life history of Lippia rotundifolia is characterized by its distinct growth habits and survival strategies within its ecological niche, manifesting primarily through two structural classifications. It functions as a phanerophyte, maintaining its persistent stem tissue above the ground level to facilitate long-term survival and seasonal growth. Additionally, the species exhibits characteristics of a nanophanerophyte, a specialized form where the woody stems are kept relatively low to the ground, typically not exceeding 25 centimeters in height. This combination of life forms allows the plant to navigate environmental stressors by balancing upward structural growth with a compact, low-profile architecture.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Lippia rotundifolia is characterized by its growth form as a shrub, exhibiting a distinct woody structure. This plant is classified as a terrestrial organism, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, and functions as an independent species without parasitic behavior. It is a self-supporting plant rather than a climber or an epiphyte, maintaining a stable, non-climbing habit within its terrestrial habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Lippia rotundifolia has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include LIMONENE, MYRCENE, Monoterpenes, Myrcenone, Pentadecane.

LIMONENE

1. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology

MYRCENE

1. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology

Monoterpenes

1. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology

Myrcenone

1. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology

Pentadecane

1. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology

ocimenone

1. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology