spiny molucca

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• spiny molucca

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Chasmonia incisa
• Molucca spinosa
• Moluccella armata

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 Moluccella.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern primarily concentrated within the Mediterranean region. In Southwestern Europe, its presence is noted across Spain and the Baleares islands. Moving toward Southeastern Europe, the species can be found growing in Greece. It also inhabits parts of Italy, extending its range into the Mediterranean landscape. Furthermore, the plant is specifically documented in the region of Sicilia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Moluccella spinosa is characterized by a lifecycle that is classified as annual, meaning it completes its entire reproductive cycle from germination to seed production within a single growing season. In terms of its structural growth and survival strategy, the plant functions as a chamaephyte, a life form where the majority of the plant's vegetative organs are located close to the soil surface, often protected by a layer of leaf litter or ground cover during unfavorable conditions. This combination of an annual reproductive strategy and a chamaephyte growth habit allows the species to effectively exploit seasonal resources and rapidly colonize suitable habitats before the onset of environmental stress.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Moluccella spinosa is characterized by a growth form categorized as a herb, specifically functioning as a non-woody forb. As a terrestrial organism, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte. The plant is an independent species, meaning it is not a parasite, and it maintains a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a climber.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Moluccella spinosa is characterized by the production of small seeds that exhibit specific weight variations within their population. The seed mass is relatively light, with a measured mean value of 0.006273333 g. Individual seeds within a sample demonstrate a range of weights, reaching a maximum mass of 0.00747 g and a minimum mass of 0.00545 g.

Seed mass max:

0.00747 g

Seed mass mean:

0.006273333 g

Seed mass min:

0.00545 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Moluccella spinosa has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2-PENTADECANONE.

2-PENTADECANONE

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Moluccella spinosa has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal, Antimicrobial.

Antifungal

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antimicrobial

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)