Small-leaved fluff-bush

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Leatherleaf Fluffbush
• Lopholena
• Small-Leaved Fluffbush
• Small-leaf Fluffbush
• Small-leaved Fluff-bush

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lopholaena bainesii
• Lopholaena randii
• Othonna bainesii
• Othonna coriifolia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Lopholaena as Lopholaena coriifolia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to several regions within the African continent. Its geographical distribution includes parts of South Tropical Africa, specifically within Angola and Zimbabwe. In the Southern Africa region, it can also be found growing in Eswatini. Additionally, the species is documented in the Northern Provinces of Southern Africa. These diverse locations highlight the specific environmental niches where the plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lophaoleana coriifolia is defined by its specific niche within montane environments, where it thrives across a distinct altitudinal gradient. This species is primarily found in mid-to-high altitude zones, occupying a specialized vertical range that begins at a minimum elevation of 765 m AMSL and extends to a maximum elevation of 1830 m AMSL. This elevational distribution suggests an adaptation to the specific climatic conditions found within these tropical or subtropical montane belts, including variations in temperature, moisture availability, and atmospheric pressure characteristic of these heights. By occupying this specific range, the plant interacts with a particular subset of soil types and microclimates that support its growth and physiological requirements.

Elevational range max:

1830 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

765 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Lopholaena coriifolia is characterized by its nature as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived plant, it establishes a stable presence within its ecological niche, undergoing repeated cycles of vegetative growth and reproductive phases. This perennial lifecycle enables the species to endure seasonal fluctuations and accumulate sufficient resources to support sustained development and eventual flowering, rather than completing its entire biological mission within a single year or two.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lopholaena coriifolia is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, exhibiting a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a climber. The plant maintains a terrestrial habit, functioning as an independent organism without parasitic or epiphytic dependencies. In terms of stature, it reaches a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.3 meters to a maximum of 2 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

Reproduction in Lopholaena coriifolia is centered on the production of specialized seeds that play a critical role in the dispersal and establishment of the species. Quantitative analysis of its reproductive output reveals a highly consistent seed profile, characterized by a uniform seed mass. The data indicates that the seed mass remains constant across observed samples, with a mean value of 0.0077 g. This uniformity is reflected in the extreme values recorded, where both the maximum and minimum seed mass are identically measured at 0.0077 g. Such precision in seed weight suggests a standardized energetic investment per embryo, which is a vital factor in the plant's reproductive strategy and its ability to colonize suitable habitats.

Seed mass mean:

0.0077 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Lopholaena coriifolia has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Chrysoeriol, Naringenin-7-O-glucoside, Quercetin 3-O-glucoside, RETRORSINE.

Chrysoeriol

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Naringenin-7-O-glucoside

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Quercetin 3-O-glucoside

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

RETRORSINE

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Activities

Lopholaena coriifolia has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Conditions

Lopholaena coriifolia has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine