Lonicera nummulariifolia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Caprifolium nummulariifolium

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and order Dipsacales, it is a member of the family Caprifoliaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Lonicera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution that spans across multiple continents and regions. In Southeastern Europe, it can be found growing in Greece and on the island of Kriti. Its range extends into Northern Africa, specifically within the territory of Libya. Moving toward Central Asia, the species is also established in Kazakhstan. Finally, its presence is confirmed in the mountainous landscapes of Kirgizstan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lonicera nummulariifolia is characterized by its preference for high-altitude environments, specifically thriving within a distinct elevational range that extends from 1500 m to a maximum of 2800 m AMSL. This species is primarily found inhabiting mountainous terrains and is frequently associated with riverine ecosystems, where the proximity to water sources and the topographical complexity of mountain landscapes define its natural growing conditions.

Elevational range max:

2800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1500 m AMSL

Habitat :

mountains, rivers

Life history

The life history of Lonicera nummulariifolia is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, specifically functioning as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte. As a phanerophyte, its perennating buds are located well above the ground level, protected by its woody stems, which allows it to persist through varying seasonal conditions. Its growth habit as a nanophanerophyte indicates that while it maintains these elevated buds, it typically stays relatively low to the ground compared to larger woody shrubs or trees. This life form strategy enables the plant to establish a stable, perennial presence in its ecosystem, utilizing its elevated bud structure to survive environmental stressors while maintaining a compact, resilient architecture.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Lonicera nummulariifolia is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily developing as a shrub or tree. It exhibits a versatile habitat range, functioning in aquatic, semiaquatic, or terrestrial environments. The plant is an independent organism, meaning it does not exhibit parasitic behavior. In terms of stature, it typically reaches a minimum height of 0.5 m, with mature specimens capable of reaching a maximum height of up to 5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lonicera nummulariifolia is characterized by a metabolic framework governed by the C3 photosynthetic pathway. As a C3 plant, its carbon fixation process occurs primarily through the Calvin cycle, where the enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) directly captures atmospheric carbon dioxide to produce three-carbon compounds. This pathway implies that the plant's physiological efficiency is highly sensitive to environmental variables such as light intensity, temperature, and water availability, as the process is susceptible to photorespiration when stomatal conductance decreases. The regulation of gas exchange and water use efficiency is intrinsically linked to this C3 mechanism, dictating how the plant manages its energy production and biomass accumulation within its specific ecological niche.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lonicera nummulariifolia is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and highly consistent seed characteristics. The flowering period typically commences in May and concludes in June, representing a relatively brief reproductive phase within the annual cycle. Following pollination, the plant produces seeds with an exceptionally uniform mass; the seed mass is recorded at a constant value of 0.03221 g, with no variation observed between the minimum, mean, and maximum measurements. This lack of variance in seed mass suggests a highly standardized production process during the maturation stage.

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jun

Seed mass mean:

0.03221 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lonicera nummulariifolia has 3 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root, stem.

Leaf

1. BMC microbiology

Root

1. BMC microbiology

Stem

1. BMC microbiology

Chemicals

Lonicera nummulariifolia has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3,4-DIHYDROXYBENZOIC ACID, CHLOROGENIC ACID, Gallic acid, Hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid.

3,4-DIHYDROXYBENZOIC ACID

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

Gallic acid

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

Hydroxybenzoic acid

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

caffeic acid

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

p-Hydroxybenzoic

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC