Pallenis spinosa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant, Paliurus spinosa, exhibits a specific geographical distribution centered around the Mediterranean region. Within Southwestern Europe, it can be found growing across the islands of the Baleares and Sardegna. Its presence also extends to the island of Corse, adding to its coastal and island range. Furthermore, the species is documented in the mainland territories of France and Portugal. Together, these locations define its primary habitat within the southwestern European landscape.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Paliellis spinosa is characterized by its ability to thrive across a broad altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1500 m AMSL. This species is highly adaptable to various anthropogenic and semi-natural landscapes, frequently colonizing disturbed or open environments. Its preferred habitats include dry meadows, oldfields, and cropfields, as well as more managed settings such as parks. This distribution pattern suggests a preference for open, sun-exposed sites where it can establish itself within diverse terrestrial ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

cropfields,meadows:dry,oldfields,parks

Life history

The life history of Pallenis spinosa is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire biological progression from germination to seed production within a single growing season. Functioning as a therophyte, it survives the unfavorable periods of its environment primarily in the form of seeds, which remain dormant until conditions become suitable for rapid growth and reproduction. This life form strategy allows the species to effectively colonize disturbed or seasonal habitats, utilizing its ephemeral existence to maximize reproductive output before the onset of environmental stress.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Palleni sspinosa is characterized by a non-woody, herbaceous growth form, manifesting as both a herb and a forb. This plant exhibits a terrestrial habit, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, it is a relatively small specimen, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 1 m. The shoots are oriented in an erect manner, and while it possesses self-supporting climbing capabilities, it does not require external structures as an obligatory climber.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Pali니스 spinosa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy that involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle. Morphologically, the plant's vegetative structures are defined by an alternate leaf arrangement, where individual leaves are positioned at different levels along the stem. These leaves exhibit an elliptic form, providing a specific surface area optimized for light interception and gas exchange within its environmental niche.

Leaf arrangement :

alternate

Leaf form :

elliptic

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproductive cycle of Pallenis spinosa is characterized by a prolonged flowering period that begins in February and extends through December. During this time, the plant produces yellow flowers that vary significantly in size, with widths ranging from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 7 cm. Following pollination, the plant develops small, dry, indehiscent fruits classified as achenes. These fruits are quite diminutive, measuring between 0.25 cm and 0.32 cm in length. The seeds contained within are extremely lightweight, maintaining a consistent mean, minimum, and maximum mass of 0.00112 g. For the distribution of its progeny, the species utilizes a hydrochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on water to transport its seeds to new locations.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flower colour :

yellow

Flower width max:

7 cm

Flower width min:

2.5 cm

Flowering time :

Feb

Flowering time :

Dec

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.32 cm

Fruit length min:

0.25 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Seed mass mean:

0.00112 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Pallenis spinosa has 3 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, flower, stem.

Leaf

1. Food & function
2. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Flower

1. Food & function

Stem

1. Food & function

Preparations

Pallenis spinosa has 6 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Leaf extracts, flower extracts, methanolic extracts of its flowers, methanolic extracts of its leaves, methanolic extracts of its stem.

Leaf extracts

1. Food & function

Flower extracts

1. Food & function

Methanolic extracts of its flowers

1. Food & function

Methanolic extracts of its leaves

1. Food & function

Methanolic extracts of its stem

1. Food & function

Stem extracts

1. Food & function