Pulicaria undulata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Inula undulata
• Francoeuria undulata

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Asterales, it is a member of the family Asteraceae. Specifically, it is categorized under the genus Pulicaria, with its species designation being undulata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the vast landscapes of Northern Africa. Within this region, its presence is noted in the diverse terrains of Algeria. It can also be found growing throughout the territories of Egypt and Libya. Furthermore, the species extends its reach into the northern reaches of Morocco. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal plant includes the country of Tunisia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pulicaria undulata is primarily defined by its specific altitudinal niche within its native mountain habitats. This species thrives within a distinct elevational range, typically occurring between 900 m AMSL and a maximum of 1200 m AMSL. This vertical distribution suggests a preference for mid-elevation montane environments where specific temperature gradients and moisture levels are maintained. By occupying this specialized ecological belt, the plant is adapted to the unique climatic conditions and soil compositions found at these specific heights above mean sea level.

Elevational range max:

1200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

900 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Pulicaria undulata is characterized by its classification as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habit and life form, the species functions as a chamaephyte, maintaining its regenerative buds at or just above the soil surface. This growth strategy enables the plant to withstand various environmental pressures while maintaining its presence within its ecological niche.

Life form :

therophyte

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pulicaria undulata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, typically functioning as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber or liana. It exhibits a terrestrial habitat and life strategy, existing as an independent organism without parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. The plant maintains a relatively modest stature, with an average height of approximately 0.60 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.6048037065 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Pulicaria undulata is characterized by specialized metabolic pathways that support its growth in specific ecological niches, primarily focusing on nutrient acquisition and secondary metabolite synthesis. Regarding its nitrogen metabolism, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (such as Rhizobium) typically found in leguminous species, meaning it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil rather than atmospheric nitrogen conversion. Its physiological processes are heavily geared toward the production of bioactive compounds, including essential oils and phenolic derivatives, which serve as chemical defenses against herbivory and environmental stressors. The plant's water regulation and photosynthetic efficiency are adapted to its native habitat, allowing for robust survival through efficient stomatal control and specialized cellular structures that manage osmotic pressure.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Pulicaria undulata is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and specialized seed characteristics. The plant typically initiates its flowering period in March and concludes this reproductive phase in June. Once the reproductive cycle reaches the seed stage, the resulting seeds are notably lightweight, with a mean mass of 0.000135 g. The seed size exhibits slight variability, ranging from a minimum mass of 0.0001 g to a maximum mass of 0.00017 g. To facilitate the spread of these progeny, the species utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on wind currents to transport its tiny seeds to new locations.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Jun

Seed mass max:

0.00017 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000135 g

Seed mass min:

1e-04 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Pulicaria undulata 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 flower.

Flower

1. AMB Express

Chemicals

Pulicaria undulata has 24 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Triterpenes, (E)-9-Octadecenoic acid, 6-epi-Shyobunol, CHLOROGENIC ACID, CINNAMIC ACID.

Triterpenes

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Scientific reports

(E)-9-Octadecenoic acid

1. Heliyon

6-epi-Shyobunol

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. AMB Express

CINNAMIC ACID

1. AMB Express

COPPER

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Coumaric Acid

1. AMB Express

Coumarins

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Fatty acids

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoids

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Pulicaria undulata has 7 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anticancer, Cytotoxic, Antibacterial.

Antimicrobial

1. Heliyon
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. AMB Express

Antioxidant

1. Heliyon
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. AMB Express

Anticancer

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. AMB Express

Cytotoxic

1. AMB Express
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Antibacterial

1. AMB Express

Antiviral

1. AMB Express

Insect-Repellent

1. Planta medica

Medicinal Uses

Pulicaria undulata has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Gram-positive bacteria, HSV-1, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations