Lesser fleabane

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Lesser fleabane
• Small Fleabane

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Inula pulicaria

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and order Asterales, it is a member of the Asteraceae family. It is specifically identified by the genus Pulicaria, with its species name being vulgaris.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is documented in Denmark, Great Britain, and Sweden. Moving toward the center of the continent, the species is also found throughout Middle Europe. Specific locations within this central region include Austria and Belgium. Consequently, the geographical range of Pulicaria vulgaris spans diverse habitats from the north to the middle of Europe.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pulicaria vulgaris is characterized by its preference for various moist and disturbed environments, allowing it to thrive in diverse hydrological settings. It is commonly found inhabiting the margins of lakes and rivers, where it takes advantage of the consistent moisture availability provided by these aquatic interfaces. Furthermore, the species frequently colonizes meadows, particularly those classified as wet meadows, where the soil remains damp throughout much of the growing season. In addition to these natural wetlands, Pulicaria vulgaris demonstrates a degree of adaptability to anthropogenic landscapes, often establishing itself along roadsides where soil disturbance and moderate moisture levels occur.

Habitat :

lakes, meadows, meadows: wet, rivers, roadsides

Life history

The life history of Pulicaria vulgaris is characterized by its status as an annual species, completing its entire developmental cycle within a single growing season. As a therophyte, the plant survives the unfavorable seasons primarily through highly resistant seeds, which remain dormant until environmental conditions become suitable for germination. This life form dictates its rapid growth pattern from seedling to reproductive maturity. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its vegetative structures as it reaches the end of its life cycle or in response to seasonal shifts, ensuring that its biological resources are channeled into seed production before the onset of dormancy.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Pulicaria vulgaris is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, existing as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber, liana, or vine. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic or epiphytic behavior, maintaining a strictly terrestrial lifestyle. The plant typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.45 m, with an average plant height of approximately 0.2925 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.45 m

Plant height mean:

0.2925 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Pulicaria vulgaris is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, reflecting a standard carbon fixation mechanism typical of many temperate herbaceous species. As a non-carnivorous plant, it relies entirely on soil-based nutrient uptake rather than insectivory. The morphological dimensions of its foliage are relatively modest, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 3 cm, maintaining a mean length of 2 cm. The leaves are notably narrow, exhibiting a mean width of 0.5 cm, with a minimum width of 0.2 cm and a maximum width reaching 0.8 cm. This narrow architecture contributes to a mean leaf size of approximately 2.6201 cm². Furthermore, the plant displays a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 288.45 cm²/g, a physiological metric that provides insight into its leaf mass per area and its adaptive strategy regarding light interception and resource allocation.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

3 cm

Leaf length mean:

2 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf size mean:

2.6201 cm²

Leaf width max:

0.8 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.2 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

288.45 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Pulicaria vulgaris is primarily sexual, characterized by bisexual flowers that facilitate the production of seeds. The flowering period typically commences in July and continues through September. During the pollination process, the plant utilizes a biotic syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Once fertilization occurs—which can happen through self-fertilization as the trait is present—the plant develops fruits classified as achenes. These fruits are indehiscent and maintain a consistent length of approximately 0.2 cm. The resulting seeds are exceptionally small, with a mean mass of 0.000113423 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.00009 g to a maximum of 0.00014 g. For dispersal, the plant employs an anemochorous syndrome, meaning the seeds are primarily dispersed by the wind. Notably, asexual reproduction is absent in this species.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit length max:

0.2 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.00014 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000113423 g

Seed mass min:

9e-05 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Pulicaria vulgaris has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticholinesterase, Cytotoxic.

Anticholinesterase

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Cytotoxic

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Medicinal Uses

Pulicaria vulgaris has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include herpes simplex virus type 1.

Most Reported Uses