seaside koniga

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• seaside koniga
• seaside lobularia
• sweet alyssum
• Sweet Alison
• sweet-Alice
• sweet-alyssum
• alyssum

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Koniga maritima
• Alyssum maritimum
• Glyce maritima
• Draba maritima
• Adyseton maritimum
• Octadenia maritima

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Lobularia maritima, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Brassicales and the family Brassicaceae. Finally, it is situated within the genus Lobularia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution primarily centered within the regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing naturally across the coastal landscapes of Denmark and Great Britain. Its presence also extends to the island of Ireland, where it integrates into the local flora. Furthermore, the species is documented inhabiting the northern territories of Norway. Finally, the range of this medicinal plant includes the various regions of Sweden.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lobularia maritima is characterized by its ability to thrive in diverse environments, primarily occupying open habitats where it can access sufficient light. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, demonstrating significant ecological plasticity across varying landscapes. It is found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 0 m AMSL at sea level to a maximum of 2640 m AMSL, allowing it to colonize both coastal lowlands and much higher montane regions.

Elevational range max:

2640 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

open

Genetics

The genetics of Lobularia maritima are characterized by a notable degree of chromosomal variation, which plays a significant role in its evolutionary adaptability and reproductive strategies. Specifically, the species exhibits different chromosome numbers, with documented values of 22 and 24. This variation in the diploid number suggests a complex genomic structure that may involve processes such as polyploidy or chromosomal rearrangements, contributing to the genetic diversity observed across different populations. Such chromosomal plasticity is often linked to the plant's ability to colonize diverse ecological niches and respond to varying environmental pressures.

Chromosome number :

22, 24

Life history

The life history of Lobularia maritima is characterized by a versatile and adaptable survival strategy, manifesting through a variable lifecycle that can function as an annual, biennial, or perennial depending on environmental conditions. In its physiological development, the plant exhibits dual life form classifications, acting as both a therophyte and a chamaephyte, which allows it to thrive in diverse ecological niches. As a chamaephyte, its buds are located close to or just above the soil surface, while its therophyte nature enables it to complete its life cycle rapidly in more ephemeral habitats. Throughout its growth, the plant maintains an evergreen status, ensuring continuous foliage presence rather than undergoing a deciduous period.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

chamaephyte

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lobularia maritima is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This terrestrial species, which functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte, exhibits a prostrate shoot orientation. As a self-supporting plant, it does not possess climbing traits such as liana or vine capabilities. In terms of stature, the plant is relatively low-growing, with a minimum height of 0.02 m, a maximum height of 0.5 m, and a mean plant height of approximately 0.199 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.199 m

Plant height min:

0.02 m

Shoot orientation :

prostrate

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lobularia maritima is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing standard carbon fixation processes to support its growth. The plant is non-carnivorous and does not possess the ability to function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on soil nutrients for its metabolic requirements. Its vegetative morphology is defined by linear leaf forms that exhibit significant dimensional variation; the leaves typically maintain a mean length of 3.25 cm, though they can range from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 5 cm. In terms of width, the leaves are relatively narrow, with a mean width of 0.3 cm, fluctuating between a minimum of 0.1 cm and a maximum of 0.6 cm.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

linear

Leaf length max:

5 cm

Leaf length mean:

3.25 cm

Leaf length min:

0.5 cm

Leaf width max:

0.6 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.3 cm

Leaf width min:

0.1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Lobularia maritima is achieved through sexual means, as the plant is bisexual and lacks asexual reproduction methods. The flowering period is extensive, beginning in April and continuing through December, featuring small white flowers that range in length from 0.25 cm to 0.3 cm. Pollination is driven by a biotic, insect-based syndrome, and the plant does not exhibit self-fertilization. Following successful pollination, the plant develops dehiscence-based fruit in the form of capsules. These capsules are relatively small, with a mean length of 0.3625 cm (ranging from 0.2 cm to 0.35 cm) and a mean width of 0.2 cm. Each fruit is highly prolific, containing more than 1,000 seeds. The seeds themselves are minute, with a mean length of 1.2 mm (ranging from 1 mm to 1.5 mm) and a mean width of 1 mm (ranging from 1 mm to 2 mm). The average seed mass is approximately 0.00032685 g, with a minimum of 0.000243 g and a maximum of 0.0008 g. Dispersal is characterized by an unspecialized syndrome, though it also exhibits anthropochorous tendencies.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flower colour :

white

Flower length max:

0.3 cm

Flower length min:

0.25 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Dec

Fruit length max:

0.35 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.3625 cm

Fruit length min:

0.2 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width mean:

0.2 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length max:

1.5 mm

Seed length mean:

1.2 mm

Seed length min:

1 mm

Seed mass max:

8e-04 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00032685 g

Seed mass min:

0.000243 g

Seed width max:

2 mm

Seed width mean:

1 mm

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lobularia maritima 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. Drug and chemical toxicology

Chemicals

Lobularia maritima has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CATECHIN, Flavonoids, Gallic acid, Globulol, Ledol.

CATECHIN

1. Drug and chemical toxicology

Flavonoids

1. Drug and chemical toxicology

Gallic acid

1. Drug and chemical toxicology

Globulol

1. RSC advances

Ledol

1. RSC advances

Linalool

1. RSC advances

Pulegone

1. RSC advances

Terpinen-4-ol

1. RSC advances

benzyl alcohol

1. RSC advances

ellagic acid

1. Drug and chemical toxicology

Conditions

Lobularia maritima has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include abdominal pains, cold, coughs, oxidative stress, wound healing.

Abdominal pains

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cold

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Coughs

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Oxidative stress

1. RSC advances

Wound healing

1. Fitoterapia

Preparations

Lobularia maritima has 5 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Essential oil, LmEO cream, essential oil, leaf ethanol extract, leave extract.

Essential oil

1. RSC advances

Lmeo cream

1. Fitoterapia

Essential oil

1. Fitoterapia

Leaf ethanol extract

1. Drug and chemical toxicology

Leave extract

1. Drug and chemical toxicology