Picria felterrae

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Curanga melissifolia
• Curanga amara
• Curanga fel-terrae
• Gratiola amara
• Herpestis amara
• Curanga torenioides
• Synphyllium torenioides
• Treisteria assamica

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Lamiales and the family Linderniaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Picria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Picria fel-terrae, exhibits a specific distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, it can be found inhabiting the South-Central and Southeast territories. Its presence extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it is documented in the state of Assam. Additionally, the species is located within the borders of Bangladesh. Finally, the plant is also distributed throughout the East Himalaya region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Picria fel-terrae is characterized by its specific altitudinal distribution within its native habitat, where it occupies a distinct montane niche. This species is primarily found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 750 m AMSL to a maximum of 1400 m AMSL. The distribution pattern suggests a preference for mid-elevation environments, as evidenced by a mean elevational range of 1075 m AMSL. This specific vertical positioning dictates the environmental variables, such as temperature fluctuations and moisture availability, to which the plant must adapt to thrive within its ecological zone.

Elevational range max:

1400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1075 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

750 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Picria fel-terrae is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire biological progression—from seed germination and vegetative growth to flowering and seed production—within a single growing season. As an annual species, it relies on a rapid developmental strategy to exploit favorable environmental conditions, focusing its energy on quick maturation to ensure reproductive success before the onset of unfavorable seasonal changes. This seasonal rhythm dictates its presence in the ecosystem, where it emerges, flourishes, and eventually dies back after dispersing its seeds, which remain dormant to await the next cycle of growth.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Picria fel-terrae is characterized by a herbaceous growth form, specifically categorized as both a herb and a forb. The plant is non-woody in structure and does not exhibit climbing tendencies, instead functioning as a self-supporting organism. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species with a maximum plant height of 0.3 m and an average plant height of approximately 0.7 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Plant height max:

0.3 m

Plant height mean:

0.7 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Picria fel-terrae is characterized by specific morphological and metabolic parameters that define its growth patterns and nutrient acquisition strategies. In terms of its vegetative structure, the plant exhibits a standardized leaf development, with a recorded leaf length mean of 5.5 cm. This dimension is critical for its photosynthetic capacity and energy production within its natural habitat. Regarding its metabolic interaction with soil nutrients, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, instead relying on the absorption of nitrogenous compounds directly from the soil through its root system.

Leaf length mean:

5.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Picria fel-terrae involves the development of distinct fruits that serve as the primary vehicle for seed dispersal. These fruits exhibit specific morphological dimensions, characterized by a relatively small size. The fruit length typically ranges from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 0.6 cm, with the average measurement across the population settling at a mean of 0.55 cm. This consistency in fruit size plays a crucial role in the plant's reproductive cycle and its ability to propagate within its natural habitat.

Fruit length max:

0.6 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.55 cm

Fruit length min:

0.5 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Picria fel-terrae has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Hexanorcucurbitacin F, Picfeltarraenin IA, Picfeltarraenin IB, Picfeltarraenin IV, Picfeltarraenin VI.

Hexanorcucurbitacin F

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Picfeltarraenin IA

1. Journal of natural products

Picfeltarraenin IB

1. Journal of natural products

Picfeltarraenin IV

1. Journal of natural products

Picfeltarraenin VI

1. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Picria fel-terrae has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Caenorhabditis elegans, hypertension.

Caenorhabditis elegans

1. International journal for parasitology. Drugs and drug resistance

Hypertension

1. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine

Preparations

Picria fel-terrae has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 60% EtOH extract of the whole plant, ethanol solubilised plant extracts.

60% etoh extract of the whole plant

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Ethanol solubilised plant extracts

1. International journal for parasitology