pluchea

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• pluchea

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Berthelotia lanceolata
• Conyza proteiformis
• Conyza rubra
• Saussurea mucronata
• Berthelotia lanceolata var. indica
• Berthelotia lanceolata var. senegalensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. Its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Pluchea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions across Africa and Asia. In West Tropical Africa, its presence can be noted in Senegal, while it also inhabits Chad within the Northeast Tropical Africa zone. Moving eastward, the species is found in the East Tropical Africa region, specifically in Tanzania. Its range extends into the Western Indian Ocean, where it is documented in the Comoros. Finally, the distribution reaches into Western Asia, specifically within the borders of Afghanistan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pluchea lanceolata is characterized by its presence within specific altitudinal gradients, typically flourishing in habitats that fall within an elevational range of 500 m to 1100 m AMSL. This species is commonly adapted to moist or seasonally inundated environments, such as wetlands, marshes, and the margins of water bodies, where it can thrive in nutrient-rich soils. Its distribution is closely tied to these hydrological conditions, often occupying transitional zones between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The plant's ability to occupy this specific elevational niche suggests an ecological preference for the temperate to subtropical climates found at these mid-level altitudes, where moisture availability and temperature remain conducive to its growth cycles.

Elevational range max:

1100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Pluchea lanceolata is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habit and ecological positioning, the species is classified as a chamaephyte, meaning its perennial buds are located close to the soil surface, which helps it withstand various environmental conditions. This life form is consistently identified as a chamaephyte across different botanical classifications, defining its survival strategy and physical development within its natural habitat.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pluchea lanceolata is characterized by a growth form that can be described as both a shrub and a herb, depending on the specific developmental stage or environmental conditions. It exhibits a woody nature, possessing woody tissue that provides structural integrity to its form. Although it does not function as an obligatory or facultative climber, it is categorized as a self-supporting plant, maintaining its upright position through its own structural strength without the need for external support.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

herb

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Pluchea lanceolata has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome.

Rhizome

1. Journal of chemical neuroanatomy

Chemicals

Pluchea lanceolata has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Taraxasterol, Taraxasterol acetate, CHLOROFORM, ETHYL ACETATE, Flavonoids.

Taraxasterol

1. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology
2. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Taraxasterol acetate

1. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology
2. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

CHLOROFORM

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

ETHYL ACETATE

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Fitoterapia

Lupeol

1. Journal of applied genetics

STIGMASTEROL

1. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Sterols

1. Fitoterapia

acetate

1. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

alpha-Amyrin

1. Journal of applied genetics

Activities

Pluchea lanceolata has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial, Antioxidant.

Antimalarial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Interdisciplinary toxicology

Conditions

Pluchea lanceolata has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include oxidative stress, DNA damage, chromosomal aberrations, malaria, neurological disorders.

Oxidative stress

1. Indian journal of pharmacology
2. Journal of chemical neuroanatomy

Dna damage

1. Interdisciplinary toxicology

Chromosomal aberrations

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Malaria

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Neurological disorders

1. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology

Preparations

Pluchea lanceolata has 9 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Methanol extract, PL extract, Pluchea lanceolata extract, butanol extract, chloroform extract.

Methanol extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Pl extract

1. Interdisciplinary toxicology

Pluchea lanceolata extract

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Butanol extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chloroform extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ethyl acetate extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hexane extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hydroalcoholic extract of the rhizome of pluchea lanceolata

1. Journal of chemical neuroanatomy

Taraxasterol acetate (txac)

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology