Brazilian calla-lily

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Brazilian calla-lily
• Mexican-clover
• tropical Mexican-clover
• white-eye
• Barzilian Clover
• Brazilian Richardia
• Mexican Tropical Richardia
• Tropical Mexican Clover
• Tropical Richardia
• Mexican Clover

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Richardsonia brasiliensis
• Spermacoce hexandra
• Spermacoce ascendens
• Richardsonia sericea
• Richardsonia rosea
• Richardsonia adscendens
• Richardia emetica
• Richardsonia brasiliensis var. dubia
• Richardsonia emetica
• Richardia rosea
• Richardia rosea f. albiflora
• Richardia rosea f. lilacina
• Richardia sericea
• Richardia villosa
• Richardia adscendens

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianaales, falling into the family Rubiaceae. Finally, its taxonomic placement is completed within the genus Richardia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern throughout the tropical regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is documented across several key nations including Burkina, Ghana, and Ivory Coast. Furthermore, it can be found within the borders of Nigeria, extending its range across this part of the continent. Moving into West-Central Tropical Africa, the species is also recorded in Cameroon. Consequently, its geographical reach spans a significant portion of the West and West-Central tropical belts.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

Richardia brasiliensis exhibits a broad ecological plasticity, thriving across a diverse array of environmental landscapes ranging from disturbed anthropic areas (Área Antrópica) to specialized natural formations. Its habitat distribution is extensive, encompassing the semi-arid Caatinga (strictu sensu), various grassland types such as Campo de Altitude, Campo Limpo, and Campo Rupestre, as well as the Cerrado (lato sensu), Carrasco, and coastal Restinga environments. Additionally, the species is found colonizing vegetation over rocky outcrops (Vegetação Sobre Afloramentos Rochosos). This adaptability allows it to occupy a wide altitudinal gradient, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 1550 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1550 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campo de Altitude, Campo Limpo, Campo Rupestre, Carrasco, Cerrado (lato sensu), Restinga, Vegetação Sobre Afloramentos Rochosos

Life history

The life history of Richardia brasiliensis is characterized by a lifecycle classified as annual, meaning it completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. In terms of its ecological strategy and growth habit, the plant functions as a therophyte, surviving unfavorable periods primarily through the dispersal of seeds rather than persistent vegetative structures. Additionally, its structural classification identifies it as a chamaephyte, indicating that its perennating buds are located close to or just above the soil surface, which influences its ability to persist and regenerate within its specific environmental niche.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Richardia brasiliensis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, functioning as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. This plant is strictly terrestrial, lacking any epiphytic qualities such as being a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte, and it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic habits. As a self-supporting species, it does not possess climbing mechanisms like lianas or vines, instead maintaining an upright structure that reaches a maximum plant height of approximately 0.3048 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.304803706 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Richardia brasiliensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in varying environmental conditions. The morphological dimensions of its foliage reflect a significant range in leaf architecture, with leaf lengths varying from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 5 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 0.3 cm and a maximum of 2.8 cm, providing a structural framework that supports its gas exchange and light interception capabilities within its ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

5 cm

Leaf length min:

0.5 cm

Leaf width max:

2.8 cm

Leaf width min:

0.3 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Richardia brasiliensis is characterized by specific morphological parameters of its seeds and fruit structure. The plant produces fruit that is categorized by a dry texture rather than a fleshy one. The seeds generated during the reproductive cycle exhibit highly uniform physical dimensions, with a consistent seed volume of 0.96 mm³, as indicated by both the minimum and maximum recorded values and the calculated mean. Furthermore, the seed mass is remarkably stable, maintaining a constant measurement across the population with a mean, minimum, and maximum mass of 0.00107 g.

Fruit dryness :

dry

Seed mass mean:

0.00107 g

Seed volume max:

0.96 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Richardia brasiliensis has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Terpenes.

Terpenes

1. Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP

Conditions

Richardia brasiliensis has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include candidiasis.

Candidiasis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology