Ladies' false fleabane

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Shrubby Fleabane
• ladies' false fleabane

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pulicaria dysenterica var. stenophylla
• Limbarda arabica
• Pulicaria arabica var. angustifolia
• Pulicaria demissa
• Pulicaria palustris
• Pulicaria planifolia
• Pulicaria trichocephala
• Pulicaria villosa
• Pulicaria laniceps
• Erigeron inuloides
• Pulicaria aspera
• Tubilium angustifolium
• Inula arabica
• Inula paludosa
• Inula palustris
• Inula planifolia
• Inula villosa
• Conyza kotschyi
• Pulicaria elata
• Pulicaria paludosa subsp. inuloides

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it follows the order Asterales and is a member of the Asteraceae family. Its taxonomic identity is further defined by its placement in the genus Pulicaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution spanning across different regions of Europe and Africa. In Middle Europe, its presence is noted in Germany. Moving toward the African continent, it is widely distributed throughout Northern Africa. Specifically, it can be found in the territories of Algeria, Egypt, and Libya. Additionally, the plant extends its range across the North African landscape to include Morocco.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pulicaria arabica is characterized by its ability to thrive within a specific altitudinal gradient, occupying diverse mountainous and semi-arid habitats. This species is distributed across a broad elevational range, found at altitudes starting from a minimum of 400 m AMSL up to a maximum of 1800 m AMSL. This vertical distribution suggests an adaptability to varying thermal regimes and atmospheric pressures, allowing it to colonize various ecological niches ranging from lower foothills to higher montane zones. Within this range, its presence is typically dictated by local environmental factors such as soil composition, moisture availability, and solar exposure, which shape the specific microhabitats it inhabits.

Elevational range max:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

400 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Pulicaria arabica is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. In terms of its biological structure and survival strategy, the plant is classified as a therophyte, a life form defined by its ability to survive unfavorable environmental conditions through ephemeral structures, typically completing its vegetative growth and producing seeds before the onset of harsh periods. This life form, categorized both as a therophyte within its primary growth strategy and as a specific functional type, dictates its ecological adaptation to its native habitat, ensuring its continued presence within the landscape across various seasonal cycles.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pulicaria arabica is characterized by a growth form consisting of a non-woody herb and forb. It functions as a self-supporting plant, lacking any climbing, liana, or vine-like tendencies, and it is categorized as a self-supporting structure rather than an obligatory or facultative climber. The plant is an independent organism, showing no parasitic behavior, and it maintains a terrestrial habit rather than being an epiphyte. Regarding its habitat and moisture preference, it is strictly terrestrial, distinguishing it from aquatic or semiaquatic species.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Pulicaria arabica 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 root.

Root

1. Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Pulicaria arabica has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoid, Germacrene D-4-ol, Quercetagetin 3,5,7,3'-tetramethyl ether.

Flavonoid

1. Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)

Germacrene D-4-ol

1. Environmental science and pollution research international

Quercetagetin 3,5,7,3'-tetramethyl ether

1. Parasitology research

Activities

Pulicaria arabica has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiprotozoal.

Antiprotozoal

1. Parasitology research

Preparations

Pulicaria arabica has 5 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include CHCl3 extract, Essential oils, extracts from the aerial part, methanolic and aqueous extracts, methanolic extracts.

Chcl3 extract

1. Parasitology research

Essential oils

1. Environmental science and pollution research international

Extracts from the aerial part

1. Parasitology research

Methanolic and aqueous extracts

1. Die Pharmazie

Methanolic extracts

1. Die Pharmazie