alkali-blite

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• alkali-blite
• coast-blite
• red-pigweed
• red pigweed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Orthosporum rubrum
• Orthospermum rubrum
• Agathophytum rubrum
• Blitum polymorphum var. rubrum
• Blitum rubrum
• Atriplex rubra
• Botrys ruber
• Chenopodium rubrum

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 the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Caryophyllales and the family Amaranthaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Oxybasis, specifically as the species Oxybasis rubra.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Oxybasis rubra, exhibits a specific distribution across several regions in Northern Europe. It can be found growing within the coastal or damp habitats of Denmark. Its range also extends northward to include the landscapes of Finland. Additionally, the species is documented throughout the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, its presence is confirmed in the northern territories of Norway.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Oxybasis rubra is characterized by its specialized ability to thrive in saline places, where it occupies distinct environmental niches. This plant demonstrates a broad altitudinal distribution, ranging from low-lying areas at an elevation of 300 m AMSL to higher mountainous terrains reaching a maximum elevation of 1800 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Habitat :

saline places

Life history

The life history of Oxybasis rubra is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, completing its entire reproductive cycle within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it maintains its biological activity through seeds that remain dormant until environmental conditions are favorable for germination. This life form strategy allows the plant to escape unfavorable seasonal periods, effectively surviving through its seed stage. Additionally, the plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its vegetative structures as it concludes its seasonal cycle, ensuring that its resources are consolidated into seed production before the onset of senescence.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Oxybasis rubra is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This species is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it maintains an independent existence rather than acting as a parasite or epiphyte. It is classified as a terrestrial plant, typically found in land-based habitats rather than aquatic or semiaquatic environments. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant variability in size, with individual specimens ranging from a minimum height of 0.15 m to a maximum height of 1.2 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 0.8645 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.2 m

Plant height mean:

0.8645 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Oxybasis rubra is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a standard carbon fixation process typical of many temperate species. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, relying on autotrophic processes rather than the capture of prey for nitrogen. Morphologically, its foliage is defined by a mean leaf size of 13.593 cm², which contributes to a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 208.16 cm²/g, reflecting a specific balance between its leaf mass and surface area.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

13.593 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

208.16 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Oxybasis rubra is characterized by a sexual process utilizing bisexual flowers. The flowering period typically occurs during the summer months, specifically starting in July and concluding in August. The plant relies on abiotic pollination syndromes, specifically driven by the wind, to facilitate fertilization; notably, self-fertilization is absent in this species. Following successful pollination, the plant produces dry, indehiscent fruits classified as achenes. The resulting seeds are quite small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.000113724333333333 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.00006 g to a maximum of 0.0006 g) and a consistent seed volume of 0.27 mm³. These seeds are dispersed via an anemochorous syndrome, utilizing the wind for distribution. Asexual reproduction is absent in this species, making sexual reproduction the sole method of propagation.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

6e-04 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000113724333333333 g

Seed mass min:

6e-05 g

Seed volume max:

0.27 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Oxybasis rubra 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 seed.

Seed

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Chemicals

Oxybasis rubra has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Hederagenin.

Hederagenin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Oxybasis rubra has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.

Antioxidant

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Cytotoxic

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Medicinal Uses

Oxybasis rubra has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include gastrointestinal cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer, thyroid cancer.

Most Reported Uses