butter daisy

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Gold Medallion

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Alcina minor
• Melampodium rhombifolium
• Wedelia minor
• Wedelia ovatifolia
• Zarabellia rhomboidea
• Spilanthes guatemalensis
• Melampodium ovatifolium
• Dysodium radiatum
• Melampodium rhombifolium
• Melampodium copiosum
• Melampodium flaccidum
• Melampodium paludosum
• Melampodium panamense
• Melampodium pumilum
• Melampodium berteroanum
• Dysodium divaricatum
• Eleutheranthera divaricata
• Alcina ovalifolia
• Alcina ovatifolia
• Melampodium tenellum var. flaccidum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. It is further organized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales. Finally, it is a member of the family Asteraceae and is identified by the genus Melampodium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across several distinct regions. Within the Western Indian Ocean, it can be found growing in both Mauritius and the Seychelles. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, its range extends to the island nation of Sri Lanka. The species is also present in the Indo-China region, specifically inhabiting Myanmar. Finally, its distribution continues through Indo-China into the country of Thailand.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Melpodium divaricatum is characterized by its presence across a diverse range of environments, spanning from sea level to significant highland altitudes. It inhabits an elevational range starting at 0 m AMSL and reaching a maximum of 1700 m AMSL. This species is found within varied ecosystem types, specifically occupying Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual, and Restinga habitats, demonstrating a notable adaptability to different forest structures and coastal soil conditions.

Elevational range max:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Restinga

Life history

The life history of Melpomidium divaricatum is characterized by a variable lifecycle, as it can function as an annual, biennial, or perennial plant depending on environmental conditions and resource availability. This adaptability allows the species to persist in diverse habitats by adjusting its reproductive strategy and longevity. As it transitions through its various stages, the plant's developmental trajectory is heavily influenced by seasonal changes and local ecological pressures, enabling it to survive through periods of stress by shifting between these different life-cycle modes.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Melpomadium divaricatum is characterized by a non-woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a herb or forb. It functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite, maintaining an autonomous nutritional status. Regarding its habit, the plant is categorized as self-supporting, lacking the obligatory or facultative climbing mechanisms seen in lianas or vines. While it can inhabit various environments, its primary ecological classification is terrestrial, as it does not function as an epiphyte (neither holoepiphyte, hemiepiphyte, nor facultative epiphyte) and is not strictly aquatic, though it exists within a spectrum that includes semiaquatic and aquatic niches.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Melampodium divaricatum 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 flower.

Flower

1. Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA

Chemicals

Melampodium divaricatum has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CHLOROPHYLL, Triterpenes.

CHLOROPHYLL

1. Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA

Triterpenes

1. Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA

Conditions

Melampodium divaricatum has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer, malaria.

Cancer

1. Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA

Malaria

1. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine

Preparations

Melampodium divaricatum has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include anti-inflammatory preparations, flower extract.

Anti-inflammatory preparations

1. Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA

Flower extract

1. Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA