Pseudelephantopus spicatus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Elephantopus dubius
• Ageratum quadriflorum
• Distreptus replicatus
• Distreptus spicatus
• Elephantopus spicatus var. densiflorus
• Elephantopus spicatus var. roseus
• Elephantopus spicatus
• Elephantopus glaber
• Elephantopus spicatus var. flavidus
• Elephantopus littoralis
• Elephantopus spicatus var. laxiflorus
• Elephantopus colimensis
• Elephantopus strigosus
• Distreptus spicatus var. interruptus
• Matamoria spicata
• Distreptus spicatus var. nicaraguensis
• Elephantopus spicatus var. lilacinus

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. Finally, it is identified by the genus Pseudelephantopus and the specific species Pseudelephantopus spicatus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning across several distinct regions of Asia and Africa. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is specifically noted within the borders of Guinea. Moving toward the Asian continent, it can be found in Southeast China and the island of Taiwan in Eastern Asia. The species also inhabits parts of the Indian Subcontinent, specifically documented in the Assam region. Additionally, its range extends through the Indian Subcontinent to include Bangladesh.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pseudelephantopus spicatus is characterized by its presence in diverse forest ecosystems, specifically inhabiting Floresta de Terra Firme and Floresta Estacional Semidecidual. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying a vast vertical range that extends from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 2600 m AMSL. This wide elevational gradient suggests a significant degree of environmental adaptability, allowing the plant to thrive in both lowland tropical forests and higher-altitude montane environments.

Elevational range max:

2600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual

Genetics

The genetics of Pseudelephantopus spicatus are characterized by specific chromosomal variations that define its cytological profile. Research into its karyotype reveals a notable plasticity in its genome, evidenced by the presence of different chromosome numbers within the species. Specifically, the plant exhibits chromosome numbers of 22 and 26, indicating a degree of aneuploidy or chromosomal variation that may influence its evolutionary adaptation and morphological diversity.

Chromosome number :

22, 26

Life history

The life history of Pseudelephantopus spicatus is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Structurally, it is classified as a hemicryptophyte, a life form in which the perennating buds are located at the soil surface or just below it, protected by leaf litter or other organic debris. This specific growth habit, consistent across its hemicryptophyte classification, enables the species to endure seasonal environmental fluctuations while maintaining its ability to regenerate and thrive over an extended period.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pseudelephantopus spicatus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber or a liana, and it grows as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The plant is terrestrial in nature, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, it exhibits a relatively low profile with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 1 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 0.7 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.7 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Pseudelephantopus spicatus is characterized by specific morphological dimensions and metabolic properties that define its structural growth. The leaves exhibit significant variability in size, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 3 cm to a mean of 13.5 cm, reaching a maximum of 20 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width shows a spectrum starting from a minimum of 1 cm, with a mean width of 3 cm and a maximum expansion of up to 5 cm. In terms of water storage and tissue composition, the plant does not exhibit succulence, indicating a non-succulent physiological profile. Furthermore, its metabolic nitrogen cycling is distinct in that it does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on existing soil nutrients for its developmental processes.

Leaf length max:

20 cm

Leaf length mean:

13.5 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width mean:

3 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Pseudelephantopus spicatus is characterized by the production of dry, indehiscent fruits classified as achenes. These fruits exhibit a specific size range, with a minimum length of 0.55 cm, a mean length of 0.6 cm, and a maximum length reaching 0.7 cm. Within these achenes, the seeds maintain a consistent volume, recorded at a minimum, mean, and maximum of 14 mm³, indicating a highly uniform seed size during the reproductive stage.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.7 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.6 cm

Fruit length min:

0.55 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Seed volume max:

14 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Pseudelephantopus spicatus has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ursolic acid.

Ursolic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology