chamaedrys

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• chamaedrys

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hyptis inflata
• Clinopodium chamaedrys
• Hyptis chamaedrys
• Hyptis lurida
• Marsypianthes hyptoides var. arenosa
• Hyptis pseudochamaedrys
• Marsypianthes hyptoides var. bracteosa
• Marsypianthes hyptoides var. calycina
• Marsypianthes hyptoides var. elatior
• Marsypianthes hyptoides var. eriocephala
• Marsypianthes hyptoides var. umbrosa
• Marsypianthes secundiflora
• Marsypianthes sessiliflora
• Marsypianthes arenosa

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 Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae, it is classified under the genus Marsypianthes. As the species Marsypianthes chamaedrys, it represents a specific medicinal member of this botanical lineage.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range extending through several regions of North and Central America. In Mexico, its presence is noted in both the Southwest and the Southeast portions of the country. Moving southward into Central America, the species can be found within the borders of Belize. It also inhabits the landscapes of El Salvador as part of its natural distribution. Finally, the plant's range continues further south into the territory of Costa Rica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Marsypianthes chamaedrys is characterized by a remarkable adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and a broad altitudinal distribution. This species thrives across a wide elevational gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) to a maximum altitude of 2000 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range centered around 400 m AMSL. Its habitat preferences are exceptionally varied, allowing it to colonize a multitude of distinct ecosystems. It is found in anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) as well as in highly specialized natural formations, including the Caatinga (strictu sensu), Campo Rupestre, and Carrasco. Furthermore, it occupies diverse forest types such as Floresta Ciliar or Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Perenifólia, and Floresta Ombrófila (Pluvial), alongside more open or transitional landscapes like the Cerrado (lato sensu), Savana Amazônica, and Restinga.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campo Rupestre, Carrasco, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Perenifólia, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga, Savana Amazônica

Life history

The life history of Marsypianthes chamaedrys is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, completing its entire reproductive cycle within a single growing season. In terms of its physical structure and survival strategy, the species functions as a therophyte, meaning it completes its development from seed to seed via a temporary aerial shoot that withers at the end of the season, leaving seeds as the primary means of survival during unfavorable periods. This life form is consistent across its developmental stages, as it is categorized as a therophyte in both its primary life form classification and its specific growth habit, ensuring its presence in its ecological niche through rapid seasonal growth and efficient seed dispersal.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Marsypianthes chamaedrys is characterized by a growth form primarily identified as a non-woody herb or forb. It functions as a self-supporting plant, exhibiting a climbing habit that does not require external structures for support, rather than acting as an obligatory vine or liana. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its ecological habit, lacking any epiphytic tendencies such as being a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte, and it maintains an independent life cycle without behaving as a parasite. Its structure is defined by its non-woody nature, distinguishing it from shrubby or arborescent species.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Marsypianthe chamaedrys is characterized by the production of specialized seeds that play a crucial role in its dispersal and propagation. Based on quantitative analysis of its reproductive output, the species produces seeds with a highly consistent and uniform mass. Specifically, the seed mass exhibits no variance across observed samples, with a mean seed mass of 0.00042 g. This uniformity is further evidenced by the fact that both the minimum and maximum recorded seed mass values are identical at 0.00042 g. Such precise seed sizing suggests a highly regulated developmental process during the formation of the fruit, ensuring that each unit of propagation maintains a standardized energetic investment for successful germination.

Seed mass mean:

0.00042 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Marsypianthes chamaedrys has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ferulic acid.

ferulic acid

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

Activities

Marsypianthes chamaedrys has 3 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Anticoagulant, Antiophidic.

Analgesic

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Anticoagulant

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

Antiophidic

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

Conditions

Marsypianthes chamaedrys has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include analgesic.

Analgesic

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Preparations

Marsypianthes chamaedrys has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 10% infusion (dry plant), 20% (fresh plant).

10% infusion (dry plant)

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

20% (fresh plant)

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz