Lysimachia nummularia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several key regions of Northern Europe. Specifically, its natural range extends through the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. It can also be found growing within the diverse landscapes of Finland. Furthermore, the species is well-established across the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, its geographical distribution includes the rugged terrains of Norway.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lysimachia nummularia is characterized by its versatility across diverse moisture gradients and terrain types. It thrives in a wide range of environments, primarily colonizing forest understories, the margins of lakes, and expansive meadows. The species demonstrates a particular affinity for wet habitats, frequently establishing itself along riverbanks and in damp, riparian zones where soil moisture remains consistent. Furthermore, its ecological range extends to more varied landscapes, including steppe environments, allowing it to adapt to different competitive pressures and soil compositions within these distinct ecosystems.

Habitat :

forest, lakes, meadows: wet, rivers, steppe

Life history

The life history of Lysimachia nummularia is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. It exhibits a dual life form classification, functioning as both a hemicryptophyte and a chamaephyte, which describes its growth habit and the positioning of its perennating buds near or just above the soil surface. Throughout its life cycle, the plant maintains an evergreen nature, retaining its foliage to facilitate continuous metabolic processes.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lysimachia nummularia is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a liana or vine, and it maintains an independent lifestyle, lacking any parasitic tendencies. This species is primarily terrestrial in its habitat, rather than aquatic or epiphytic. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing plant with a height that varies from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.6 m, maintaining a mean plant height of approximately 0.45 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height mean:

0.45 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lysimachia nummularia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a metabolic process optimized for temperate environments where carbon fixation occurs primarily through the Calvin cycle. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies on traditional nutrient uptake from the soil rather than supplemental nitrogen from prey. Its foliar morphology shows a notable range in development, with leaf lengths spanning from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 1.8 cm, while the leaf width remains consistent at a mean and maximum of 1.8 cm. This structural data results in a mean leaf size of approximately 2.84333 cm². Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 299.36 cm²/g, a physiological metric that reflects its leaf thickness and resource allocation strategies regarding light interception and photosynthetic efficiency.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

1.8 cm

Leaf length min:

0.2 cm

Leaf size mean:

2.84333 cm²

Leaf width mean:

1.8 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

299.36 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lysimachia nummularia is characterized by a sexual reproductive cycle that relies on biotic pollination mechanisms. The flowering period typically begins in May and extends through August, during which the plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome specifically involving insects, with bees serving as a primary pollinator. Self-fertilization is present within the species, ensuring reproductive success. The resulting fruit is a dehiscent capsule, which facilitates seed dispersal through an autochorous syndrome, meaning the seeds are dispersed by the plant's own mechanisms. The seeds produced are quite small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.00033925 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.000042 g to a maximum of 0.000315 g. Notably, asexual reproduction is absent in this species, making sexual processes the fundamental driver of its life cycle.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.000315 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00033925 g

Seed mass min:

4.2e-05 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lysimachia nummularia 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. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Lysimachia nummularia has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include wounds.

Wounds

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Lysimachia nummularia has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 50% (v/v) ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the plants' leaves.

50% (v/v) ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the plants' leaves

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)