Pluchea carolinensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several distinct oceanic regions. In the Atlantic, its presence is noted within the Macaronesian archipelago, specifically across the Canary Islands. Its range extends into Eastern Asia, where it can be found in both the Nansei-shotto islands and Taiwan. Moving toward the Southwestern Pacific, the species is documented in the Gilbert Islands. Finally, its distribution reaches as far as Tonga, demonstrating a wide maritime spread.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pluchea carolinensis is characterized by its adaptability to diverse environmental settings, primarily found within forest habitats. This species thrives across a broad altitudinal gradient, occupying an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum elevation of 1000 m AMSL. This wide distribution allows the plant to persist in various ecological niches within forested landscapes, ranging from lowland coastal or riparian zones to higher montane forest fringes.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest

Life history

The life history of Pluchea carolinensis is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. Throughout its lifecycle, the plant establishes a robust presence, often forming dense colonies in its preferred wetland or disturbed habitats. Its perennial growth habit enables it to survive seasonal fluctuations, frequently regenerating from its root system or through the successful dispersal of seeds produced during its flowering stages. This long-term survival strategy ensures that the plant can maintain its ecological niche, contributing to the stability of its local ecosystem through continuous vegetative and reproductive cycles.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pluchea carolinensis is characterized by a woody, shrub-like growth form that functions as a self-supporting plant. It is an independent species, not acting as a parasite or an epiphyte, and maintains a primarily terrestrial existence, although its ecological niche can range from aquatic to semiaquatic environments. This shrubby plant typically reaches a height of at least 1 meter, with a maximum growth potential of up to 3 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological structure of Pluchea carolinensis is characterized by its distinctive foliar morphology, which plays a critical role in its metabolic and photosynthetic processes. The leaves exhibit an elliptic form, a shape optimized for efficient light interception and gas exchange within its natural habitat. These leaves demonstrate significant morphological plasticity in terms of size, with individual leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 6 cm to a maximum of 20 cm. This variation in leaf dimensions suggests an adaptive physiological capacity to manage transpiration rates and solar radiation absorption depending on environmental stressors and developmental stages.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

20 cm

Leaf length min:

6 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Pluchea carolinensis is characterized by a flowering period that typically begins in March and concludes in May, though the timing can be variable throughout the year. The plant produces pink flowers arranged in a raceme inflorescence. Following pollination, it develops small, brown, indehiscent fruits classified as achenes. These fruits are quite minute, with a length ranging from a minimum of 0.06 cm to a maximum of 0.08 cm. Contained within these fruits are exceptionally lightweight seeds, with a mean seed mass of 1.5e-05 g, a minimum mass of 1e-05 g, and a maximum mass of 2e-05 g.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Flower colour :

pink

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

May

Fruit colour :

brown

Fruit length max:

0.08 cm

Fruit length min:

0.06 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Inflorescence :

raceme

Seed mass max:

2e-05 g

Seed mass mean:

1.5e-05 g

Seed mass min:

1e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Pluchea carolinensis has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CAMPESTEROL, CHLOROGENIC ACID, Flavonoids, Glucosides, Steroids.

CAMPESTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke

Flavonoids

1. Dr. Duke

Glucosides

1. Dr. Duke

Steroids

1. Dr. Duke

Tannins

1. Dr. Duke

Taraxasteryl acetate

1. Dr. Duke

Terpenoids

1. Dr. Duke

alpha-Amyrin

1. Dr. Duke

beta-Amyrin acetate

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Pluchea carolinensis has 80 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allelochemic, Allergenic, Analgesic, AntiEBV.

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiEBV

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

AntiLegionella

1. Dr. Duke

Antiatherosclerotic

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer (Colon)

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Pluchea carolinensis has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Pityriasis versicolor, Pneumocystis pneumonia, athlete's foot, onychomycosis.

Most Reported Uses