malachra

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• malachra
• wild okra

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Malachra alceifolia f. hispidissima
• Malachra capitata var. albiflora
• Malachra alceifolia f. hispida
• Malachra alceifolia f. glabra
• Malachra hispida
• Malachra rotundifolia
• Malachra conglomerata
• Urena capitata var. alceifolia
• Malachra alceifolia var. rotundifolia
• Malachra alceifolia var. conglomerata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Malachra alceiifolia, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Malvales and the family Malvaceae. Its taxonomic hierarchy concludes with its placement in the genus Malachra.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning both the Pacific Islands and various regions of Mexico. In the North-Central Pacific, it can be found growing within the Hawaiian Islands. Its presence extends to the South-Central Pacific, specifically across the Society Islands. Within Mexico, the species is widely distributed throughout the central and northeastern territories. Additionally, the plant inhabits the coastal regions of the Mexico Gulf area.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Malachra alceiifolia is defined by its presence within the Floresta de Terra Firme, where it thrives in stable, non-flooded forest environments. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying a wide vertical gradient that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to an elevation of 1800 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Terra Firme

Genetics

The genetics of Malachra alcicifolia are characterized by a specific chromosomal configuration that serves as a fundamental marker for its cytogenetic profile. The species possesses a chromosome number of 56, a quantitative trait that defines its genomic structure and plays a crucial role in its reproductive biology and evolutionary lineage. This diploid or polyploid arrangement influences the plant's genetic stability and its ability to maintain phenotypic diversity within its specialized ecological niches.

Chromosome number :

56

Life history

The life history of Malachra alcaiifolia is characterized by its status as an annual plant, completing its entire developmental cycle from germination to seed production within a single growing season. This seasonal progression begins with the germination of seeds in favorable soil conditions, followed by a rapid vegetative growth phase where the plant establishes its foliage and structural framework. As the life cycle advances, the plant transitions into its reproductive stage, producing flowers and subsequently developing seeds that ensure the continuity of the species. Because it functions as an annual, the individual plant does not survive beyond its reproductive event, relying entirely on the dispersal of its seeds to initiate the next generation in subsequent seasons.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Malachra alceiifolia is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, typically manifesting as a self-supporting plant. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies, and is primarily terrestrial in its habitat, though it can exist within aquatic or semiaquatic environments. As a self-supporting climber, it does not require external structures for stability, nor does it exhibit epiphytic behavior, remaining strictly terrestrial. The plant reaches a modest height, with a stature ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 2.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2.5 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Malachra alcifolia is characterized by a specialized metabolic framework and distinct morphological adaptations. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism where carbon fixation occurs primarily through the Calvin cycle during the day, making it well-suited for environments where moisture is relatively available. In terms of its vegetative structure, the leaves play a crucial role in gas exchange and light interception, reaching a leaf length of up to 10 cm. This leaf size and the associated photosynthetic efficiency dictate the plant's energy production and overall growth rate within its ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Malachra alcieifolia is characterized by the development of small fruits and seeds that exhibit specific morphological dimensions. The fruits produced by the plant are diminutive in size, ranging from a minimum length of 0.3 cm to a maximum length of 0.35 cm. Within these fruits, the seeds are equally minute, reaching a maximum length of 2.5 mm. The seed mass displays high consistency, with both the mean, minimum, and maximum values recorded at a uniform 0.0041 g, indicating a highly standardized seed size during the reproductive cycle.

Fruit length max:

0.35 cm

Fruit length min:

0.3 cm

Seed length max:

2.5 mm

Seed mass mean:

0.0041 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Malachra alceifolia has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Episwertenol.

Episwertenol

1. Tropical medicine and infectious disease

Conditions

Malachra alceifolia has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Leishmania mexicana, fever, infectious diseases, inflammation, leishmaniases.

Leishmania mexicana

1. Tropical medicine and infectious disease

Fever

1. Tropical medicine and infectious disease

Infectious diseases

1. Tropical medicine and infectious disease

Inflammation

1. Tropical medicine and infectious disease

Leishmaniases

1. Tropical medicine and infectious disease

Parasites

1. Tropical medicine and infectious disease

Preparations

Malachra alceifolia has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include hydroethanolic extracts.

Hydroethanolic extracts

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)