Pleopeltis polylepis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Phlebodium polylepis
• Polypodium polylepis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Polypodiinae within the order Polypodiales. Belonging to the family Polypodiaceae, it is specifically identified by the genus Pleopeltis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions of North America. In the South-Central United States, it can be found specifically within the state of Texas. Its presence extends significantly into Mexico, where it is common throughout the central regions. Furthermore, the species inhabits the northeastern and northwestern territories of Mexico. Finally, it is also widely distributed across the coastal areas of the Mexican Gulf.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Pleopeltis polylepis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its development within a single year. As a perennial species, it maintains its biological presence over an extended duration, often developing robust structures that enable it to survive periods of dormancy or environmental stress. This long-term survival strategy facilitates continuous growth and repeated reproductive cycles, contributing to its establishment within its specific ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pleopeltis polylepis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, exhibiting a structure that is fundamentally independent rather than parasitic. This plant functions as an obligatory epiphyte, relying on other structures for support while maintaining its own metabolic autonomy. While it thrives in specific niches, its habitat range spans across aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial environments. Furthermore, it does not act as a climber; instead, it is categorized as a self-supporting organism within its ecological framework.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

obligatory

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Pleopeltis polylepis has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic.

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Pleopeltis polylepis has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include bleeding, chest pain, cough, fever, pertussis.

Bleeding

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chest pain

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cough

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fever

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Pertussis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Typhoid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology