comb hyptis

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• comb hyptis

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Bystropogon pectinatus
• Hyptis persica
• Bystropogon coarctatus
• Ballota parviflora
• Hyptis nepetoides
• Hyptis pectinata
• Nepeta aristata
• Nepeta pectinata
• Brotera persica

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further categorized under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Mesosphaerum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several distinct maritime and continental regions. Within the Macaronesia archipelago, it can be found growing in Cape Verde. Its presence extends into West Tropical Africa, where it is documented in the nation of Benin. Additionally, the species is distributed through Guinea and the Ivory Coast within the same West African belt. Finally, the range of this medicinal plant includes the coastal territory of Togo.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Mesosphaerum pectinatum is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 2400 m AMSL. This species inhabits diverse ecological settings, specifically thriving within the Campo de Altitude and the Floresta Estacional Semidecidual. These habitats provide the specific environmental conditions necessary for its development, spanning from lowland seasonal forests to high-altitude grassland ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campo de Altitude, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual

Genetics

The genetics of Mesosphaerum pectinatum are characterized by a specific karyotype that defines its cellular structure and reproductive stability. A fundamental aspect of its genomic profile is its chromosome number, which is consistently documented at 32. This diploid configuration serves as a key cytogenetic marker for the species, influencing its inheritance patterns and evolutionary lineage within its taxonomic group. The stability of this chromosomal count plays a critical role in the plant's genetic continuity and its ability to maintain phenotypic consistency across generations.

Chromosome number :

32

Life history

The life history of Mesosphaerum pectinatum is characterized by its perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. In terms of its structural growth habit and ecological positioning, it functions as a chamaphyte, maintaining its photosynthetic buds close to the soil surface to withstand environmental fluctuations.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Mesosphaerum pectinatum is characterized by a growth form that ranges from a herb to a subshrub. It is a non-woody, terrestrial plant that functions independently rather than as a parasite, and it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior. The plant is self-supporting in its climbing habit, rather than acting as a liana or vine. In terms of stature, it reaches a minimum height of 0.5 m, with a mean height of approximately 2 m, and can attain a maximum height of up to 2.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2.5 m

Plant height mean:

2 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Mesosphaerum pectinatum is characterized by specific morphological and metabolic constraints, particularly regarding its leaf development and nutrient acquisition strategies. The plant exhibits highly diminutive foliage, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 0.25 cm. Unlike many desert-dwelling or coastal species that utilize water-storing tissues, this plant does not exhibit succulence, indicating a reliance on different mechanisms for maintaining cellular turgor and managing hydration. Furthermore, its metabolic profile lacks the ability for biological nitrogen fixation, meaning it is not a nitrogen fixer and must rely on the uptake of available nitrates or ammonium from its immediate substrate to support its physiological processes and growth.

Leaf length max:

0.25 cm

Leaf length min:

0.2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Mesosphaerum pectinatum is characterized by the production of minute seeds that exhibit significant variation in size, with a recorded minimum seed mass of 4e-05 g and a maximum of 8e-05 g, resulting in an average seed mass of approximately 6.25e-05 g. The dispersal of these seeds is primarily governed by an anthropochorous syndrome, indicating that human activities play a significant role in the movement and distribution of the species across different environments.

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Seed mass max:

8e-05 g

Seed mass mean:

6.25e-05 g

Seed mass min:

4e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Mesosphaerum pectinatum has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower, leaf.

Flower

1. The Journal of tropical medicine and hygiene

Leaf

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Chemicals

Mesosphaerum pectinatum has 17 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ametryn, DICHLOFLUANID, FLUMETRALIN, Pyrimethanil, Tebuconazole.

Ametryn

1. Journal of AOAC International
2. Talanta

DICHLOFLUANID

1. Journal of AOAC International
2. Talanta

FLUMETRALIN

1. Journal of AOAC International
2. Talanta

Pyrimethanil

1. Journal of AOAC International
2. Talanta

Tebuconazole

1. Journal of AOAC International
2. Talanta

Tetraconazole

1. Journal of AOAC International
2. Talanta

Bicyclogermacrene

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Caryophyllene oxide

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Kresoxim-Methyl

1. Talanta

Kresoximmethyl

1. Journal of AOAC International

Activities

Mesosphaerum pectinatum has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antinociceptive, Cytotoxic.

Antinociceptive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cytotoxic

1. Planta medica

Conditions

Mesosphaerum pectinatum has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include bacterial infections, cancer, inflammation.

Bacterial infections

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Inflammation

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Mesosphaerum pectinatum has 5 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include CHCl (3) extract, HPEO, dehydrated Hyptis pectinata, dehydrated Hyptis pectinata medicinal plant, water extracts.

Chcl (3) extract

1. Planta medica

Hpeo

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Dehydrated hyptis pectinata

1. Journal of AOAC International

Dehydrated hyptis pectinata medicinal plant

1. Talanta

Water extracts

1. The Journal of tropical medicine and hygiene