Touch-me-not

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Touch-me-not
• tufted honey-flower
• Cape Honey Flower
• Crown Honeyflower
• Honeyflower
• Touch Me Not

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Diplerisma comosum

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 Geraniales, it is classified under the family Francoaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Melianthus, specifically as the species Melianthus comoosus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found across various regions within Southern Africa. Its distribution includes the diverse landscapes of the Cape Provinces. It can also be located in the mountainous terrain of Lesotho. Furthermore, the species extends its range into parts of Namibia. Finally, it is documented within the Free State and the Northern Provinces.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Melianthus comoosus is defined by its ability to inhabit diverse topographical landscapes, spanning a significant altitudinal gradient. This species is found across an elevational range that begins at 120 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 2230 m AMSL. This broad vertical distribution allows the plant to occupy various ecological niches, from lower-lying coastal or valley regions to more temperate, high-altitude montane environments. Such a wide range suggests a high degree of adaptability to varying temperature regimes and atmospheric pressures encountered throughout its habitat.

Elevational range max:

2230 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

120 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Melianthus comoosus is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Throughout its existence, the species maintains an evergreen status, retaining its foliage year-round rather than undergoing a period of dormancy marked by leaf loss.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Melianthus comoosus is characterized by a woody, shrubby growth form that is entirely self-supporting and independent, functioning neither as a parasite nor an epiphyte. As a terrestrial species, it typically reaches a mean height of 1.5 m, though its stature can vary significantly, ranging from a minimum of 0.69 m to a maximum height of 3 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

1.5 m

Plant height min:

0.69 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Melianthus comoosus is characterized by specialized metabolic processes adapted to its specific ecological niche, though it lacks the symbiotic relationship with rhizobia necessary to function as a nitrogen fixer. Unlike legumes, this species does not possess the physiological mechanisms to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia; therefore, its nitrogen fixation status is a definitive no. The plant relies on the uptake of inorganic nitrogen, such as nitrates and ammonium, directly from the soil through its root system to support protein synthesis and cellular growth. Its physiological processes include standard photosynthetic pathways to convert light energy into chemical energy, alongside complex secondary metabolic pathways that produce characteristic chemical compounds. These metabolic activities are finely tuned to its environmental interactions, managing water regulation and nutrient assimilation without the aid of biological nitrogen fixation.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Melianthus comoosus is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically adapted for interaction with avian pollinators. This bird-mediated pollination process ensures the transfer of pollen between flowers, facilitating genetic exchange within the species. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces seeds that exhibit specific morphological variations in mass. The seed mass ranges from a minimum of 0.01651 g to a maximum of 0.0233 g, with the average seed mass calculated at approximately 0.019905 g. These quantitative traits in seed production are integral to the plant's reproductive strategy and its ability to colonize its natural habitat.

Pollination syndrome :

bird

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.0233 g

Seed mass mean:

0.019905 g

Seed mass min:

0.01651 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Melianthus comosus 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. Bioorganic chemistry

Chemicals

Melianthus comosus has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2-hydroxynonanoic acid, Crassolide, Hexadecanoic acid, NEOPHYTADIENE, deoxylimonoic acid D-ring-lactone.

2-hydroxynonanoic acid

1. Inflammopharmacology

Crassolide

1. Inflammopharmacology

Hexadecanoic acid

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

NEOPHYTADIENE

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

deoxylimonoic acid D-ring-lactone

1. Inflammopharmacology

guanosine

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Melianthus comosus has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic.

Cytotoxic

1. Bioorganic chemistry

Conditions

Melianthus comosus has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, inflammation, pain, skin diseases.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Inflammation

1. Inflammopharmacology

Pain

1. Inflammopharmacology

Skin diseases

1. Skin pharmacology and physiology

Preparations

Melianthus comosus has 4 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extracts, extracts, methanol extracts, three extracts.

Aqueous extracts

1. Skin pharmacology and physiology

Extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Methanol extracts

1. Skin pharmacology and physiology

Three extracts

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)