Barnouf

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Barnouf

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Baccharis aegyptiaca
• Baccharis dioscoridis
• Conyza baccharoides
• Conyza echinoides
• Conyza modatensis
• Dimorphanthes aegyptiaca
• Pluchea kraussii
• Conyza dioscoridis
• Blumea baccharoides
• Conyza odora
• Conyza kraussii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Pluchea dioscoridis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is situated within the genus Pluchea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning across several distinct regions of the African continent and its adjacent islands. In Northern Africa, its presence is documented within the borders of Egypt. Its distribution extends to the Macaronesian region, specifically found among the Canary Islands. Within West-Central Tropical Africa, the species can be located in Burundi. Finally, its range reaches into Northeast Tropical Africa, where it inhabits both Chad and Djibouti.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pluchea dioscoridis is closely tied to specific hydrological patterns within arid environments, primarily occupying riverine niches in dry areas. It thrives in the transitional zones where seasonal or permanent water sources meet parched landscapes, often establishing itself in the moist substrates found near dams and artificial reservoirs. This preference for riparian corridors near water-retaining structures suggests the plant is adapted to environments characterized by periodic inundation or high soil moisture levels amidst an otherwise xeric regional climate. Consequently, its distribution is strategically linked to these aquatic margins, which provide the necessary hydration and sediment stability required for its growth within these drought-prone ecosystems.

Habitat :

riverine in dry areas, near dams

Life history

The life history of Pluchea dioscoridis is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist across multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural life form, it functions as a therophyte, a strategy typically associated with plants that complete their life cycle through seeds following a period of dormancy, often surviving unfavorable conditions in a highly reduced state. This biological framework enables the species to adapt to its specific environmental niches by utilizing its perennial nature to maintain long-term presence while employing the rapid, ephemeral growth patterns characteristic of the therophyte life form.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pluchea dioscoridis is characterized by a woody growth form that functions as a shrub. This plant is a self-supporting species, meaning it does not require external structures for climbing, and it operates as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. It is a terrestrial plant, rather than an aquatic or epiphytic one. In terms of physical dimensions, it reaches a mean plant height of 1.5 m, with the potential to reach a maximum height of up to 2.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2.5 m

Plant height mean:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of the foliage in Pluchea dioscoridis are defined by a specific morphological range that dictates its surface area for photosynthetic activity. The leaves exhibit a distinct elliptic form, a structural adaptation that optimizes light interception. In terms of dimensions, the leaf length varies significantly, ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 7 cm. This longitudinal variation is complemented by a corresponding width profile, where the leaf width spans from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 3 cm. These precise geometric parameters reflect the plant's developmental capacity to adjust its leaf size within these established physiological boundaries.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

7 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf width max:

3 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Pluchea dioscoridis is characterized by a flowering period that typically begins in January and concludes in April, though the timing can be variable throughout the year. The plant produces small, violet-colored flowers, with individual flower lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 0.7 cm. The resulting fruit is classified as an achene, which is indehiscent in nature and reaches a maximum length of approximately 0.1 cm. The seeds produced are exceptionally lightweight, with a mean mass of 0.00011125 g, falling within a range between a minimum of 0.00003 g (3e-05 g) and a maximum of 0.00046 g.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Flower colour :

violet

Flower length max:

0.7 cm

Flower length min:

0.5 cm

Flowering time :

Jan

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit length max:

0.1 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Seed mass max:

0.00046 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00011125 g

Seed mass min:

3e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Pluchea dioscoridis has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Aromadendrene oxide 2, Hexadecanoic acid, Lupeol, Lupeol acetate.

Flavonoids

1. PloS one
2. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

Aromadendrene oxide 2

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Hexadecanoic acid

1. Experimental & applied acarology

Lupeol

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Lupeol acetate

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

STIGMASTEROL

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

SYRINGIC ACID

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Sesquiterpenes

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Sterols

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

Tannins

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

Activities

Pluchea dioscoridis has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.

Antioxidant

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine
2. Chemistry & biodiversity

Cytotoxic

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Pluchea dioscoridis has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include aging, cancer, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, polycystic ovary syndrome.

Aging

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Cancer

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Dyslipidemia

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Oxidative stress

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Polycystic ovary syndrome

1. PloS one

Preparations

Pluchea dioscoridis has 4 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Methanol extract, ethanolic extract, extract, methanol extract.

Methanol extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ethanolic extract

1. PloS one

Extract

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

Methanol extract

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine