Sauvagesia erecta

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Sauvagesia erecta, exhibits a specific distribution within the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing in the diverse landscapes of Benin. Additionally, its presence is documented across the territory of Burkina. The species also inhabits various parts of Ghana and Gambia. Finally, its geographical range extends into the nation of Guinea-Bissau.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Sauvagesia erecta is characterized by a remarkable degree of adaptability across diverse environmental conditions and a broad altitudinal distribution. It inhabits a wide array of ecosystems, ranging from anthropogenic areas and open landscapes such as Campo de Altitude, Campo Limpo, Campo Rupestre, and Restinga, to complex forest structures including Atlantic Forest (Floresta Ombrófila and Floresta Ombrófila Mista), Gallery Forests, and the Amazonian Savanna. Furthermore, it is found within the Cerrado (latu sensu) biome. This species exhibits an expansive elevational range, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 2000 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 1770 m AMSL, allowing it to persist in both lowland tropical environments and high-altitude montane habitats.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1770 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Campo de Altitude, Campo Limpo, Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila Mista, Restinga, Savana Amazônica

Genetics

The genetics of Sauvagesia erecta are characterized by a specific chromosomal configuration that defines its cytogenetic profile. This medicinal species possesses a chromosome number of 38, a fundamental genomic feature that influences its reproductive biology and evolutionary lineage within the Melastomataceae family. This diploid number serves as a critical genetic marker for the species, playing a significant role in its cellular stability and the inheritance patterns of its various phytochemical properties.

Chromosome number :

38

Life history

The life history of Sauvagesia erecta is characterized by its flexible developmental strategies, functioning across a variable lifecycle that includes annual, biennial, and perennial stages. In terms of its structural growth and survival strategies, the plant exhibits diverse life forms depending on its environmental context; it can manifest as a hemicryptophyte, where perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, or as a therophyte, completing its life cycle through the production of seeds after a single growing season.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Sauvagesia erecta is characterized by its growth form as a herb, exhibiting a primarily terrestrial existence rather than being aquatic or epiphytic. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it maintains an independent life cycle without acting as a parasite. The plant typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum and mean height of 0.3 m. In terms of its structural composition, the woodiness of the plant is described as variable, contributing to its overall stature as a small-scale herbaceous species.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.3 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

variable

Physiology

The physiology of Sauvagesia erecta is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its foliage and its metabolic relationship with soil nutrients. The leaves exhibit a measurable range in size, with lengths varying from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 4 cm, while their widths fluctuate between a minimum of 0.3 cm and a maximum of 1.2 cm. In terms of nutrient cycling and metabolic processes, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for its growth.

Leaf length max:

4 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf width max:

1.2 cm

Leaf width min:

0.3 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Sauvagesia erecta is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and distinct fruit morphology. The flowering period typically commences in May, though the timing can be variable across different seasons. Following pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of a capsule. These capsules are relatively small, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.35 cm to a maximum of 0.7 cm. Once the fruit reaches maturity, it utilizes a dehiscence mechanism, meaning the capsule is dehiscent and splits open to facilitate the dispersal of its seeds.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Flowering time :

May

Fruit length max:

0.7 cm

Fruit length min:

0.35 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Sauvagesia erecta has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthocyanins, Flavonoids, Isoorientin, Orientin.

Anthocyanins

1. Dr. Duke

Flavonoids

1. Dr. Duke

Isoorientin

1. Dr. Duke

Orientin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Sauvagesia erecta has 34 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiapoptotic, Antiarthritic, Anticancer, Anticarcinogenic, Anticollegenase.

Antiapoptotic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiarthritic

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anticollegenase

1. Dr. Duke

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke

Antielastase

1. Dr. Duke

Antihyperglycemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antihyperinsulinemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antihyperleptinemic

1. Dr. Duke