fringed rue

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• fringed rue

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ruta graveolens var. chalepensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Sapindales, it is classified under the family Rutaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic designation is placed within the genus Ruta.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Ruta chalepensis, is primarily distributed across several regions within Southwestern Europe. Its presence can be specifically noted in the Balearic Islands, known as Baleares. Additionally, this species is found inhabiting the island of Corsica. The plant's range extends to the coastal and inland areas of France. Finally, it is also documented growing in Portugal and on the island of Sardinia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ruta chalepensis is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution that allows it to inhabit a diverse array of topographical landscapes. The species exhibits significant adaptability to varying heights, with an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends to a maximum altitude of 3000 m AMSL. Within this extensive vertical gradient, the plant maintains a mean elevational range of approximately 1890 m AMSL, suggesting a primary ecological preference for mid-to-high altitude montane environments while remaining capable of colonizing lowland habitats.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1890 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Ruta chalepensis is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habit and ecological strategy, the species is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the majority of the plant's regenerative buds are located close to or just above the soil surface. This classification is consistently identified through both its life form designations as a chamaephyte, ensuring its ability to endure various environmental conditions by maintaining its vital organs near the ground level.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ruta chalepensis is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically functioning as a shrub. This plant is a terrestrial species, existing as an independent organism rather than an epiphyte or a parasite. It is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing or vine-like tendencies. In terms of stature, it maintains a relatively low profile with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 1 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ruta chalepensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common mechanism in many woody shrubs that involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle. Morphologically, its physiological efficiency is supported by its leaf form, which is distinctly oblong. This leaf structure facilitates optimal surface area exposure for gas exchange and light absorption, supporting the metabolic processes necessary for the plant's growth and the synthesis of its characteristic secondary metabolites.

Leaf form :

oblong

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ruta chalepensis is characterized by bisexual flowers that exhibit a green coloration. The flowering period typically begins in February and concludes in July, though the timing can be variable. These flowers are relatively small, ranging in length from a minimum of 0.39 cm to a maximum of 0.72 cm. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the reproductive process, while self-fertilization is noted as absent. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of a capsule. These capsules vary in size, with a minimum length of 0.46 cm up to a maximum of 0.69 cm, and a width ranging from 0.4 cm to 0.9 cm. The reproductive output is prolific, with each fruit containing more than 1000 seeds. These seeds are remarkably lightweight, with a mean mass of 0.001381 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.00126 g to a maximum of 0.00156 g. Dispersal of the seeds is characterized by an unspecialized syndrome, though it also demonstrates anthropochorous tendencies, indicating dispersal through human activity.

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flower colour :

green

Flower length max:

0.72 cm

Flower length min:

0.39 cm

Flowering time :

Feb

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit length max:

0.69 cm

Fruit length min:

0.46 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width max:

0.9 cm

Fruit width min:

0.4 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.00156 g

Seed mass mean:

0.001381 g

Seed mass min:

0.00126 g

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ruta chalepensis has 3 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, fruit, root.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine
2. Archives de l'Institut Pasteur de Tunis
3. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Fruit

1. Journal of experimental pharmacology

Root

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Ruta chalepensis has 45 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Skimmianine, Bergapten, Chalepensin, Chalepin.

Flavonoids

1. Chemistry & biodiversity
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Skimmianine

1. Journal of natural products
2. Chemistry & biodiversity
3. Life (Basel, Switzerland)

Bergapten

1. Photochemistry and photobiology
2. Life (Basel, Switzerland)

Chalepensin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of natural products

Chalepin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Coumarins

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Furanocoumarins

1. Natural product research
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Monoterpenes

1. Chemistry & biodiversity
2. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Psoralen

1. Photochemistry and photobiology
2. Life (Basel, Switzerland)

RUTIN

1. Journal of biotechnology
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Ruta chalepensis has 22 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antimicrobial, Abortifacient, Antiacetylcholinesterase, Anticancer.

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Archives de l'Institut Pasteur de Tunis

Antimicrobial

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Archives de l'Institut Pasteur de Tunis

Abortifacient

1. Archives de l'Institut Pasteur de Tunis

Antiacetylcholinesterase

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Anticancer

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antidiabetic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiepileptic

1. Archives de l'Institut Pasteur de Tunis

Antifertility

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antifungal

1. Archives de l'Institut Pasteur de Tunis

Antiinflammatory

1. Archives de l'Institut Pasteur de Tunis

Medicinal Uses

Ruta chalepensis has 43 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Trichinella spiralis.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations