Weak Jumby Peppe

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Weak Jumby Peppe
• weak jumby pepper

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Schollera debilis
• Microtea debilis var. ovata
• Microtea debilis var. rhombifolia
• Microtea ovata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Microtea debilis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Caryophyllales. Finally, it is a member of the family Microteaceae and the genus Microtea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across two major global regions. In West-Central Tropical Africa, its presence is specifically noted within the borders of Cameroon. Moving to the Americas, it is widely distributed throughout several nations in Central America. Specifically, it can be found growing in the landscapes of Belize, Costa Rica, and Guatemala. Finally, its range extends further south to include the country of Honduras.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Microtea debilis is characterized by its presence in specific low-to-mid altitude landscapes, occupying an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL. This species is specifically associated with the Campo de Várzea habitat, a type of lowland grassland or marshy meadow ecosystem, where it thrives within these particular altitudinal and environmental parameters.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campo de Várzea

Life history

The life history of Microtea debilis is characterized by a variable lifecycle, as the plant can function as an annual, biennial, or perennial depending on environmental conditions and habitat stability. As a creeping or prostrate herb, its developmental stages are closely tied to its ability to colonize open, disturbed areas. The life cycle begins with seed germination in moist, well-drained substrates, followed by a period of vegetative growth where the plant spreads via trailing stems. Once maturity is reached, the plant undergoes a reproductive phase, producing small, inconspicuous flowers that eventually lead to seed production. In favorable, stable environments, the plant may persist through multiple seasons as a perennial, whereas in more transient or harsh habitats, it may complete its biological objectives within a single season as an annual.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Microtea debilis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, typically manifesting as a small, self-supporting plant rather than a climber or liana. It does not exhibit climbing habits, functioning instead as a self-supporting organism that lacks the structural complexity of vines or obligatory climbers. As a terrestrial species, it occupies land-based habitats and is not classified as an epiphyte, whether in holoepiphytic, hemiepiphytic, or facultative forms. Furthermore, the plant is an independent organism, showing no parasitic tendencies, and maintains a non-woody structure throughout its development. Its ecological niche spans from terrestrial to semiaquatic environments, distinguishing it from strictly aquatic vegetation.

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)

Chemicals

Microtea debilis has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cirsimaritin.

Cirsimaritin

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics
2. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)