minnieroot

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Devil's Bit
• Fever Bit
• Fever Root
• Duppy Gun Shot
• Kencana Ungu
• Popping Pod

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Dipteracanthus clandestinus
• Ruellia tuberosa var. humilis
• Ruellia clandestina

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Ruellia tuberosa, belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae in the order Lamiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Acanthaceae and falls under the genus Ruellia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range that spans across multiple continents and distinct ecological zones. In Northeast Tropical Africa, its presence is documented within the territories of Sudan and South Sudan. Moving toward East Tropical Africa, the species can be found throughout Kenya and Tanzania. Its distribution extends into the Western Indian Ocean, specifically reaching the islands of the Seychelles. Finally, the plant reaches much further east, appearing in the South-Central regions of China.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ruellia tuberosa is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to a wide variety of environmental conditions, allowing it to thrive across a diverse spectrum of landscapes. It exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying habitats ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1900 m AMSL. This expansive elevational range enables the species to colonize various ecological niches, from lowland coastal plains and disturbed forest edges to higher-altitude montane environments. Typically found in disturbed sites, open woodlands, and grassy areas, its presence is often linked to habitats with moderate light availability and varying soil moisture levels, demonstrating a high degree of resilience to different microclimates within its vertical range.

Elevational range max:

1900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Ruellia tuberosa is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. While it exhibits a perennial nature, its development can appear variable depending on environmental conditions, sometimes displaying growth patterns that mimic annual or biennial cycles in less stable habitats. The plant typically establishes itself through underground structures, often utilizing tuberous roots to store nutrients, which facilitates its long-term survival and ability to regrow after periods of dormancy. As it matures, it undergoes a consistent reproductive cycle involving the production of flowers and seeds, ensuring its continued presence within its ecological niche over many years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ruellia tuberosa is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. This species exhibits a self-supporting habit, functioning as a self-supporting climber rather than an obligatory liana or vine. It is a terrestrial plant, lacking any epiphytic or aquatic tendencies, and grows as an independent organism without parasitic behavior. In terms of stature, the plant maintains a relatively low profile, with a plant height that reaches a maximum of 0.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height min:

0 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ruellia tuberosa 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Open life sciences

Chemicals

Ruellia tuberosa has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BETA-SITOSTEROL, CAMPESTEROL, Glutathione (GSH), HENTRIACONTANE, NONACOSANE.

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

CAMPESTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

Glutathione (GSH)

1. Recent advances in inflammation & allergy drug discovery

HENTRIACONTANE

1. Dr. Duke

NONACOSANE

1. Dr. Duke

STIGMASTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

Saponins

1. The Indian journal of medical research

Steroids

1. The Indian journal of medical research

Terpenes

1. The Indian journal of medical research

Activities

Ruellia tuberosa has 52 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Androgenic, Angiogenic, Anorexic.

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Recent advances in inflammation & allergy drug discovery

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anorexic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiadenomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiandrogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer (Breast)

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer (Cervix)

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer (Lung)

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Ruellia tuberosa has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer's disease, Aspergillus niger, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, neurodegenerative diseases.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations