Rostellularia procumbens

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Justicia notha
• Justicia nagpurensis
• Justicia hansenii
• Rostellaria procumbens
• Rostellularia mollissima
• Ecbolium khasiana
• Ecbolium nothum
• Ecbolium procumbens
• Justicia procumbens f. japonica
• Rostellaria japonica
• Rostellularia japonica
• Rostellularia procumbens var. linearifolia
• Justicia latispica
• Ptyssiglottis sarmentosa
• Justicia procumbens subsp. latispica
• Rungia sarmentosa
• Rostellularia latispica
• Rostellularia blancoi
• Rostellularia media
• Ecbolium simplex
• Justicia procumbens var. simplex
• Justicia procumbens var. linearifolia
• Justicia hayatae var. decumbens
• Justicia media
• Justicia simplex
• Justicia khasiana
• Justicia japonica
• Justicia hirtella
• Rostellularia sarmentosa
• Justicia procumbens var. hirsuta
• Rostellularia neglecta
• Rostellularia magnifolia
• Justicia procumbens var. riukiuensis
• Rostellularia mollissima var. serpyllifolia
• Rostellularia nagpurensis
• Rostellularia serpyllifolia
• Rostellularia simplex
• Justicia pathanamthittiensis
• Rostellularia sundana
• Rostellularia trichochila
• Justicia mollissima
• Justicia procumbens var. leucantha
• Rostellularia juncea
• Rostellularia khasiana
• Rostellularia khasiana var. latispica
• Rostellularia procumbens var. riukiuensis
• Justicia simplex var. serpyllifolia
• Rostellularia procumbens var. hirsuta
• Rostellularia procumbens f. alboflora
• Rostellularia cradengensis
• Justicia procumbens var. latispica
• Rostellularia elegans
• Rostellularia procumbens var. serpyllifolia
• Rostellularia adenostachya
• Rostellaria mollissima
• Rostellaria adenostachya

Sources: Wikidata

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 is ordered under Lamiales and falls into the family Acanthaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Rostellularia, specifically as the species Rostellularia procumbens.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse distribution across several specific regions of China. It can be found growing in the South-Central areas of the country. Additionally, its habitat extends to the tropical island of Hainan. The species also inhabits the North-Central provinces as well as the Southeast regions. Finally, its geographical range reaches into the high-altitude areas of Tibet.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rostellularia procumbens is characterized by its specific adaptation to mid-to-high altitude montane environments, occupying a distinct vertical niche within its habitat. This species thrives within a defined elevational range, establishing itself at altitudes as low as 850 m AMSL and extending its distribution up to a maximum of 2400 m AMSL. This broad altitudinal gradient suggests a high degree of ecological plasticity, allowing the plant to navigate varying temperature regimes, atmospheric pressures, and moisture availability associated with different mountain zones. By spanning these elevations, the plant interacts with diverse microclimates, which likely influences its growth patterns, reproductive cycles, and its role within the local biotic community across varying topographical gradients.

Elevational range max:

2400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

850 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Rostellularia procumbens is characterized by its status as an annual plant, completing its entire developmental cycle from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As an annual species, it focuses its metabolic energy on rapid growth and early maturation to ensure reproductive success before the onset of unfavorable environmental conditions. The lifecycle begins with the germination of seeds in suitable substrates, followed by a vegetative phase where the plant establishes its prostrate or spreading form. This is quickly succeeded by a reproductive phase, during which the plant produces flowers and matures its seeds, ultimately leading to the death of the individual plant once the seed bank for the next generation is secured.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Rostellularia procumbens is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, exhibiting a primarily terrestrial habit. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies, and maintains a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. While its habitat can span a range of moisture levels, it is categorized under terrestrial, semiaquatic, and aquatic classifications. Furthermore, the plant does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, remaining strictly terrestrial throughout its life cycle.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Rostellularia procumbens is characterized by a metabolic framework governed by the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and water-use efficiency. Within this pathway, the plant utilizes the enzyme RuBisCO to catalyze the initial fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide into a three-carbon molecule, typically 3-phosphoglycerate, during the Calvin cycle. This physiological mechanism implies that the plant performs gas exchange primarily through its stomata during daylight hours, making its metabolic rate and hydration status highly sensitive to ambient light intensity and transpiration rates. The energy conversion processes within its chloroplasts are optimized for environments where CO2 availability and temperature allow for efficient C3 cycling, directly influencing its growth patterns and overall resource allocation.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rostellularia procumbens is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle that facilitates its reproductive success. The flowering period typically commences in July and continues through the warmer months, eventually reaching its conclusion in October. While the timing of these reproductive stages can be variable depending on environmental conditions, the core window for floral development and subsequent seed production is concentrated within this mid-year to autumn timeframe.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Oct

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Rostellularia procumbens 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. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Rostellularia procumbens has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Diphyllin, Diphyllin apioside, Diphyllin apioside 5 -acetate, Justicidinoside A, Justicidinoside B.

Diphyllin

1. Phytochemistry

Diphyllin apioside

1. Phytochemistry

Diphyllin apioside 5 -acetate

1. Phytochemistry

Justicidinoside A

1. Phytochemistry

Justicidinoside B

1. Phytochemistry

Justicidinoside C

1. Phytochemistry

Preparations

Rostellularia procumbens has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanolic extract, powdered roots.

Methanolic extract

1. Phytochemistry

Powdered roots

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology