shiny bugleweed

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• shiny bugleweed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Phytosalpinx lucida

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, its taxonomic designation is completed by the genus Lycopus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range that spans across several distinct regions of Eurasia. In Southeastern Europe, its presence is specifically noted within the country of Italy. The species also extends deep into Siberia, with recorded populations located in Chita, Irkutsk, and Yakutiya. Furthermore, its distribution reaches the Russian Far East, particularly in the Amur region. These various locations highlight the plant's ability to inhabit diverse environments across the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lycopus lucidus is characterized by its ability to colonize diverse and often transitional landscapes. This plant is typically found growing in dumps, meadows, and shrubberies, where it can take advantage of disturbed soils or open vegetation. Additionally, it exhibits a notable affinity for coastal environments, frequently appearing along sea shores, suggesting a tolerance for saline influences or the specific microclimates found in maritime zones.

Habitat :

dump, meadows, sea, shores, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Lycopus lucidus is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. Its survival strategy is defined by its classification as both a hemicryptophyte and a cryptophyte, indicating that its perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface to endure unfavorable environmental conditions.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lycopus lucidus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. It functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial existence. The plant is self-supporting rather than being a liana or vine, and it typically reaches a maximum height of 1 meter, with a mean height of 1 meter and a minimum recorded height of 0.15 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lycopus lucidus is characterized by a metabolic framework defined by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and energy production. Through this C3 mechanism, the plant utilizes the enzyme Rubisco to directly fix atmospheric carbon dioxide into organic compounds during the Calvin cycle, a process that typically occurs within the mesophyll cells. This physiological trait implies that the plant is optimized for environments where water availability is sufficient to support transpiration, as it relies on open stomata to facilitate gas exchange. The efficiency of its carbohydrate synthesis is intrinsically linked to this C3 pathway, dictating its growth patterns, nutrient uptake, and overall metabolic rate in response to varying light intensities and ambient temperatures.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lycopus lucidus is characterized by a sexual reproductive strategy, as the species is classified as bisexual. The flowering period for this plant typically begins in June and extends through August, though the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds with highly consistent physical properties; the seed mass is uniform, with a mean, maximum, and minimum value all recorded at 0.000183 g.

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass mean:

0.000183 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Lycopus lucidus has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include betulinic acid, rosmarinic acid.

betulinic acid

1. Dr. Duke

rosmarinic acid

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Lycopus lucidus has 20 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Estrogenic, Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Antibacterial, Anticancer.

Estrogenic

1. Environmental toxicology and pharmacology
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiedemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifibrotic

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antileukemic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Lycopus lucidus has 11 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include blood coagulation, diabetic nephropathy, edema, hormone replacement therapy, immune system.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations