Stinking Madder

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Stinking Madder

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Putoria calabrica
• Putoria calabrica var. hispanica
• Putoria balearica
• Ernodea calabrica
• Pavetta foetidissima
• Plocama calabrica var. alba
• Putoria calabrica var. pubescens
• Sherardia foetidissima
• Asperula calabrica
• Asperula ciliata
• Putoria cymosa
• Putoria hispanica
• Putoria calabrica var. atlantis
• Putoria calabrica var. gypsacea
• Putoria calabrica subsp. hispanica
• Lonicera sicula
• Daphne skipetarum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Further taxonomic details place it in the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianales. Finally, it is a member of the family Rubiaceae and is specifically identified under the genus Plocama.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution across the Mediterranean regions of Southern and Southeastern Europe. In Southwestern Europe, its presence is noted within the borders of Spain. Moving toward Southeastern Europe, the species can be found growing in Albania and Greece. It also extends its range to include the territory of Italy. Finally, the plant is documented inhabiting the island of Kriti.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Plocama calabrica is characterized by its specialized survival strategy as a chamaphyte, a classification that reflects its growth habit and ability to endure environmental fluctuations. In terms of its specific life form categorization, it is identified as a chamaphyte, meaning its perennating buds are located close to the soil surface, often protected by the surrounding substrate or low-lying vegetation. This life form strategy allows the plant to maintain a low profile, which is essential for navigating its specific ecological niche. Furthermore, when analyzed through a broader structural lens, its life form is consistently defined as a chamaphyte, distinguishing it from taller phanerophytes or ephemeral therophytes. This physiological positioning enables Plocama calabrica to persist through seasonal changes by keeping its vital reproductive and vegetative structures near the ground level, ensuring resilience against wind and temperature extremes.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Morphology

The morphology of Plocama calabrica is characterized by a woody structure, exhibiting a growth form that transitions between a shrub and a subshrub. It is a self-supporting plant, lacking any climbing or parasitic tendencies, and functions as an independent organism rather than an epiphyte or parasite. In terms of its habitat preference, the species is terrestrial, distinguishing it from aquatic or semiaquatic life forms.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Plocama calabrica is characterized by the production of drupe-type fruits that are fundamentally indehiscent, meaning they do not split open at maturity to release their contents. These fruits possess average dimensions of 0.54 cm in length and 0.37 cm in width. Within these fruits, the seeds exhibit a specialized mass profile, with a mean seed mass of approximately 0.00554 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.00546 g to a maximum of 0.01047 g. The dispersal of the species follows a zoochorous syndrome, indicating that the plant relies on animals to facilitate the movement and distribution of its reproductive units.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit length mean:

0.54 cm

Fruit type :

drupe

Fruit width mean:

0.37 cm

Seed mass max:

0.01047 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0055416665 g

Seed mass min:

0.00546 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Plocama calabrica 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. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Root

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Chemicals

Plocama calabrica has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CHLOROGENIC ACID, Calabricoside A, Calabricoside B, LUCIDIN-3-O-PRIMEVEROSIDE, Putorinoside A.

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Calabricoside A

1. Journal of natural products

Calabricoside B

1. Journal of natural products

LUCIDIN-3-O-PRIMEVEROSIDE

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Putorinoside A

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

RUTIN

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Vitexin

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

betulinic acid

1. Dr. Duke

quercetin-3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside]-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Plocama calabrica has 19 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Anticarcinomic.

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiedemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antileukemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antimalarial

1. Dr. Duke

Antimelanomic

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations

Plocama calabrica has 1 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aerial parts.

Aerial parts

1. Journal of natural products