Eurasian plumbago

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Eurasian plumbago
• Eurasiatic plumbago
• common leadwort

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Plumbago europaea var. asperrima
• Plumbago angustifolia
• Plumbago denticulata
• Plumbago europaea var. glandulosa
• Plumbago lapathifolia
• Plumbago undulata
• Plumbago purpurea

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Plumbago europaea, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Caryophyllales. Finally, it is a member of the family Plumbaginaceae and the genus Plumbago.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Middle Europe, its presence is noted within the territories of Germany as well as the Czechia-Slovakia region. Moving toward the Mediterranean, it can be found throughout various parts of Southwestern Europe. Specifically, the species is documented in France and on the island of Corse. Additionally, its range extends to the island of Sardegna within the same southwestern territory.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Plumbago europaea is characterized by its preference for rugged, high-altitude environments, primarily occupying mountains and stony places. It thrives in these rocky terrains, often establishing itself in crevices or thin soils where competition from denser vegetation is limited. The species exhibits a specific vertical distribution within its ecosystem, with an elevational range that extends up to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL. This adaptation to stony, montane habitats allows it to persist in niches defined by well-drained substrates and exposure to the elements typical of mountainous landscapes.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Habitat :

mountains, stony places

Life history

The life history of Plumbago europaea is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term persistence within its natural habitat through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, the species is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the majority of the plant's vegetative buds are located close to the soil surface, often just above it. This specific growth habit allows the plant to maintain resilience against environmental stressors while establishing its perennial presence in the ecosystem.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Plumbago europaea is characterized by its growth form as a woody subshrub that functions as a self-supporting, non-climbing plant. It is a terrestrial species, neither aquatic nor an epiphyte, and it grows as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. The plant typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 0.3 meters to a maximum of 1 meter.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Plumbago europaea is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and specialized seed dispersal mechanisms. The plant enters its flowering period starting in August and continues through September, though the timing can be variable. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds with a relatively small mass; the mean seed mass is approximately 0.00844 g, with individual seeds ranging from a minimum of 0.0062 g to a maximum of 0.01061 g. The dispersal of these seeds follows a zoochorous syndrome, meaning they rely on animals to facilitate their movement to new locations.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flowering time :

Aug

Flowering time :

Sep

Seed mass max:

0.01061 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00844 g

Seed mass min:

0.0062 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Plumbago europaea has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 7-Methyljuglone, Delphinidin, Droserone, Europinidin, Isoplumbagin.

7-Methyljuglone

1. Iranian journal of microbiology

Delphinidin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Droserone

1. Iranian journal of microbiology

Europinidin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Isoplumbagin

1. Iranian journal of microbiology

Isozeylanone

1. Iranian journal of microbiology

Plumbagin

1. Iranian journal of microbiology

Activities

Plumbago europaea has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antifungal.

Antibacterial

1. Iranian journal of microbiology

Antifungal

1. Iranian journal of microbiology

Conditions

Plumbago europaea has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Candida, Gardnerella vaginalis, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, vaginitis.

Candida

1. Iranian journal of microbiology

Gardnerella vaginalis

1. Iranian journal of microbiology

Micrococcus luteus

1. Microbial pathogenesis

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Microbial pathogenesis

Vaginitis

1. Iranian journal of microbiology

Preparations

Plumbago europaea has 4 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethyl acetate, ethyl acetate extract, methanol, n-hexane.

Ethyl acetate

1. Iranian journal of microbiology

Ethyl acetate extract

1. Iranian journal of microbiology

Methanol

1. Iranian journal of microbiology

N-hexane

1. Iranian journal of microbiology