Mexican primrose-willow

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• narrow-leaf water-primrose
• seedbox
• water-primrose
• willow primrose

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Jussiaea octovalvis
• Oenothera octovalvis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Myrtales, it falls under the family Onagraceae. Finally, it is identified by its scientific genus name, Ludwigia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions. In the Macaronesian islands, its presence is specifically noted in Cape Verde. Moving to the mainland, it is found throughout various parts of West Tropical Africa. This includes significant populations within the territories of Benin, Burkina, and Gambia. Finally, its range extends further along the coast to include Ghana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ludwigia octovalvis is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse and varied environmental conditions. It inhabits an extensive range of ecosystems, demonstrating versatility across both natural and human-altered landscapes, including Áreas Antrópicas (anthropogenic areas), Caatinga (strictu sensu), Campinarana, Campo de Várzea, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar or Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual, Floresta Ombrófila (Pluvial), Manguezal, and Restinga. This wide distribution is mirrored by its significant altitudinal tolerance; the species can be found from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1900 m AMSL, maintaining a mean elevation of approximately 225 m AMSL. Such a broad ecological niche allows the plant to thrive in habitats ranging from coastal mangroves and restingas to more inland seasonal and ombrophilous forests.

Elevational range max:

1900 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

225 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campinarana, Campo de Várzea, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Manguezal, Restinga

Genetics

The genetics of Ludwigia octovalvis are characterized by specific chromosomal configurations and varying levels of genomic complexity. Research into its karyotype has revealed distinct chromosome numbers, specifically documented at 32 and 48, which indicates a degree of numerical variation within the species. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a ploidy level of 2, identifying it as a diploid organism in its fundamental genetic state. This chromosomal structure provides the hereditary framework necessary for the expression of its various medicinal properties and morphological characteristics.

Chromosome number :

32, 48

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Ludwigia octovalvis is characterized by its ability to persist through various environmental conditions, functioning primarily as a perennial plant with a lifecycle that can fluctuate between annual and biennial stages depending on the stability of its habitat. In terms of its structural adaptation to its environment, it exhibits a diverse range of life forms; it acts as a hydrophyte, thriving in aquatic or semi-aquatic settings, while also demonstrating the characteristics of a therophyte, often completing its life cycle through seed production to endure seasonal changes.

Life form :

hydrophyte

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ludwigia octovalvis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This species exhibits a versatile habit, functioning as a self-supporting plant rather than a liana or vine, and it maintains an erect shoot orientation. It is a terrestrial plant, though it can inhabit semiaquatic environments, and it operates as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. The plant's stature is quite variable, with heights ranging from a minimum of 0.03 m to a maximum of 4 m, averaging approximately 3 m in height. As a terrestrial species, it does not function as an epiphyte.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4 m

Plant height mean:

3 m

Plant height min:

0.03 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ludwigia octovalvis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and energy conversion efficiency. The plant's foliar architecture displays significant morphological variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.7 cm to a maximum of 15 cm, while leaf widths fluctuate between 0.1 cm and 4 cm. Structurally, the plant does not exhibit succulence, maintaining standard tissue density rather than specialized water-storing parenchyma. Furthermore, it does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on external soil nutrient availability to support its metabolic requirements and growth cycles.

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length min:

0.7 cm

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width min:

0.1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ludwigia octovalvis is characterized by a highly flexible phenology, with flowering and fruiting periods that can occur throughout nearly the entire year, spanning from January to December depending on environmental variables. The plant produces distinct yellow flowers, and the process of fertilization is facilitated by the presence of self-fertilization capabilities. Following pollination, the plant develops dehiscent fruits that typically measure an average of 3 cm in length, though they can range from a minimum of 1.7 cm to a maximum of 4.5 cm. These fruits release seeds that exhibit a very small mass, with a mean weight of approximately 9.09 x 10⁻⁵ g (ranging from 4 x 10⁻⁵ g to 0.00045 g), and a length between 0.6 mm and 0.8 mm. The dispersal of these seeds is achieved through an epizoochorous syndrome, meaning they are distributed via attachment to animals, ensuring the spread of the species across its habitat.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

epizoochorous

Flower colour :

yellow

Flowering time :

Dec

Fruit length max:

4.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

3 cm

Fruit length min:

1.7 cm

Fruiting time :

Dec

Seed length max:

0.8 mm

Seed length min:

0.6 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00045 g

Seed mass mean:

9.09443333333333e-05 g

Seed mass min:

4e-05 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ludwigia octovalvis has 16 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include OLEANOLIC ACID, (23E)-coumaroylhederagenin, (23Z)-Coumaroylhederagenin, (3Z)-coumaroylhederagenin, 2alpha-hydroxy ursolic acid.

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Journal of natural products

(23E)-coumaroylhederagenin

1. Journal of natural products

(23Z)-Coumaroylhederagenin

1. Journal of natural products

(3Z)-coumaroylhederagenin

1. Journal of natural products

2alpha-hydroxy ursolic acid

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Daucosterol

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Gallic acid

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

MALTOL

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Methyl brevifolincarboxylate

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Activities

Ludwigia octovalvis has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hepatoprotective.

Hepatoprotective

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Ludwigia octovalvis has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Streptococcus mutans, diarrhea, dysentery.

Streptococcus mutans

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Diarrhea

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Dysentery

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Ludwigia octovalvis has 3 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Hydroalcoholic extracts, aqueous extracts, herb.

Hydroalcoholic extracts

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Aqueous extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Herb

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica