Madeira sorrel

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Madeira sorrel

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Acetosa maderensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is classified under the subclass Magnoliidae in the order Caryophyllales and is a member of the family Polygonaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Rumex.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is endemic to the Macaronesian region, specifically occupying limited ecological niches. Its primary geographical distribution is concentrated within the Canary Islands. Additionally, the species can be found growing across the archipelago of Madeira. These specific locations represent the entirety of its natural range within the Atlantic islands. Consequently, the survival of this medicinal plant depends heavily on the conservation of these two distinct island groups.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rumex maderensis is characterized by its adaptation to specific altitudinal gradients within its natural habitat. This species thrives across a defined elevational range, occupying various ecological niches from a minimum altitude of 200 m AMSL to a maximum altitude of 1000 m AMSL. Within this vertical distribution, the plant's presence is dictated by the varying environmental pressures associated with different elevations, including shifts in temperature, moisture availability, and soil composition found between these two thresholds.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Rumex maderensis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it avoids the complete mortality associated with annuals after a single reproductive event, instead focusing on long-term survival and the establishment of robust root systems. This lifecycle enables the plant to navigate seasonal fluctuations and accumulate enough energy reserves to support successive flowering and seeding periods. By maintaining a presence across multiple years, it can effectively colonize and dominate its specific ecological niche through sustained vegetative growth and periodic reproductive cycles.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Rumex maderensis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. The plant exhibits a stature that varies in height, typically ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 1 m.

Growth form :

herb

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Rumex maderensis is characterized by a robust vegetative structure, particularly evident in its leaf morphology which plays a critical role in its photosynthetic capacity and resource acquisition. The plant exhibits significant variation in its leaf dimensions, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 8 cm. Complementing this length, the leaf width fluctuates between 3 cm and 6.5 cm, providing a substantial surface area for light interception. The leaves are specifically described as having an ovate form, a shape that optimizes the balance between gas exchange efficiency and water retention. This structural configuration of the foliage suggests an adaptive physiological strategy to manage metabolic demands within its specific environmental niche.

Leaf form :

ovate

Leaf length max:

8 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

6.5 cm

Leaf width min:

3 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rumex maderensis is characterized by a flowering period that typically commences in April and extends through August, though the specific timing can remain variable depending on environmental conditions. During this reproductive phase, the plant produces flowers that exhibit a distinct red color. These flowers are arranged in a paniculate inflorescence, which serves as the structural foundation for the plant's blooming stage and subsequent seed production.

Flower colour :

red

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Aug

Inflorescence :

panicle

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Rumex maderensis has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, l-ascorbic acid.

Flavonoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

l-ascorbic acid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Rumex maderensis has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)