Spiny Fan-flower

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Spiny Fan-flower

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pogonetes spinescens
• Scaevola lycioides
• Scaevola oleoides
• Crossostoma lycioides
• Crossostoma oleoides
• Crossostoma spinescens
• Lobelia spinescens

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Scaevola spinescens, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Asterales and the family Goodeniaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Scaevola.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several different regions of Australia. It can be found growing in the coastal and inland areas of New South Wales. Its presence extends northward into the tropical landscapes of the Northern Territory. Additionally, the species inhabits significant portions of Queensland. Finally, the plant's range reaches further south into South Australia and Victoria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Scaevola spinescens is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. As a perennial, the plant establishes a long-term presence in its habitat, often developing woody or semi-woody structures that support its survival over extended periods. Its developmental trajectory involves an initial establishment phase followed by sustained vegetative growth, which eventually leads to reproductive maturity. Once mature, the plant undergoes seasonal cycles of flowering and seed production, contributing to its continued presence in the ecosystem and its ability to colonize new areas through successive generations.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Scaevola spinescens is characterized by a growth form that manifests as both a shrub and a herb, exhibiting a woody texture in its structure. It is a terrestrial plant, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte, and it maintains a self-supporting climbing habit. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a minimum height of 0.2 m, with its maximum growth potential extending up to 2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of the foliage in Scaevola spinescens are defined by a specialized leaf morphology that facilitates its survival in its specific ecological niche. The leaves exhibit a notable variation in dimensions, with individual leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.9 cm to a maximum of 3.6 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width shows significant plasticity, measuring as narrow as 0.1 cm at its minimum and expanding to a maximum of 0.6 cm. This morphological range suggests a physiological adaptation in surface-area-to-volume ratios, which likely aids in regulating transpiration and optimizing light interception within its habitat.

Leaf length max:

3.6 cm

Leaf length min:

0.9 cm

Leaf width max:

0.6 cm

Leaf width min:

0.1 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Scaevola spinescens is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit specific morphological variations in weight. The seed mass within this species demonstrates a measurable range, with a recorded minimum mass of 0.00612 g and a maximum mass reaching up to 0.01758 g. On average, the seed mass for this plant is approximately 0.01185 g, reflecting the biological variability inherent in its reproductive output.

Seed mass max:

0.01758 g

Seed mass mean:

0.01185 g

Seed mass min:

0.00612 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Leaf

1. Heliyon

Root

1. Heliyon

Stem

1. Heliyon

Chemicals

Scaevola spinescens has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Luteolin-7-glucoside, Saponins, TPC.

Flavonoids

1. Heliyon

Luteolin-7-glucoside

1. Heliyon

Saponins

1. Heliyon

TPC

1. Heliyon

Activities

Scaevola spinescens has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antiviral, Anticancer.

Antibacterial

1. Pharmacognosy research
2. Chemistry & biodiversity

Antiviral

1. Pharmacognosy research
2. Chemistry & biodiversity

Anticancer

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Conditions

Scaevola spinescens has 8 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include bacteria, cancer, fever, inflammation, leprosy.

Bacteria

1. Pharmacognosy research

Cancer

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Fever

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Inflammation

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Leprosy

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Rheumatoid arthritis

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Tinea

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Viruses

1. Pharmacognosy research

Preparations

Scaevola spinescens has 3 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Extracts, extracts, solvent extracts.

Extracts

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Extracts

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Solvent extracts

1. Pharmacognosy research