Cat's whiskers

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Cats Whiskers
• Common Cat's Whiskers
• Common Cats Whiskers
• Cat's whiskers

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Becium obovatum
• Becium grandiflorum var. obovatum

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 family Lamiaceae, it is classified under the genus Ocimum. Specifically, this species is known as Ocimum obovatum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Ocimum obovatum, exhibits a specific distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing naturally within the borders of Benin. The species also inhabits various territories in Burkina. Furthermore, its presence is documented throughout Ghana and Guinea. Finally, this medicinal plant is distributed within the Ivory Coast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ocimum obovatum is characterized by its presence within specific altitudinal gradients, where it thrives in diverse montane and sub-montane environments. This species is typically distributed across a vertical range that begins at an elevation of 800 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum altitude of 2055 m AMSL. This elevational span suggests an ability to adapt to varying temperature regimes and atmospheric pressures, allowing the plant to colonize various ecological niches within these highland zones. Within this range, its survival and distribution are influenced by the specific microclimates, soil compositions, and moisture availability characteristic of these mid-to-high altitude tropical or subtropical landscapes.

Elevational range max:

2055 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

800 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Ocimum obovatum is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its ecological growth strategy and physical structure, the plant is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form defined by having its perennating buds located close to the soil surface. This classification applies across both its life form designations, identifying it consistently as a chamaephyte rather than a phanerophyte, hemicryptophyte, or therophyte, which dictates its ability to survive environmental stressors by maintaining its regenerative structures near the ground level.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ocimum obovatum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, functioning as a self-supporting plant rather than a liana or vine. It is a terrestrial species that grows independently, showing no parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant maintains a relatively low profile, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.11 m to a maximum of 0.4 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 0.45 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.4 m

Plant height mean:

0.45 m

Plant height min:

0.11 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ocimum obovatum is characterized by its seed production and highly versatile dispersal strategies. The plant produces seeds with a consistent mass, where both the minimum, maximum, and mean values are recorded at 0.00191 g. Its dispersal syndrome is classified as unspecialized, utilizing a broad range of mechanisms to ensure propagation. This includes anemochorous (wind), zoochorous (animals), autochorous (self-dispersal), and hydrochorous (water) methods. Furthermore, the dispersal profile encompasses a wide array of ecological vectors, including anthropochorous, endozoochorous, epizoochorous, myrmecocorous, and general unspecialized processes, allowing the species to exploit various environmental pathways for colonization.

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Seed mass mean:

0.00191 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ocimum obovatum 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 leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Infection and drug resistance

Root

1. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Ocimum obovatum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl) 24-hydroxyterminolic acid 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-3)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside, Beciumecine 1, Beciumecine 2.

3-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl) 24-hydroxyterminolic acid 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-3)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside

1. Phytochemistry

Beciumecine 1

1. Phytochemistry

Beciumecine 2

1. Phytochemistry

Preparations

Ocimum obovatum has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Ethanol extracts of leaves, root bark.

Ethanol extracts of leaves

1. Infection and drug resistance

Root bark

1. Phytochemistry