Spiked Centaury

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Spiked Centaury

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Centaurium babylonicum
• Centaurium spicatum var. brachyanthum
• Erythraea spicata f. albiflora
• Erythraea pickeringii
• Erythraea subspicata
• Centaurium emporitanum
• Libadion spiciferum
• Schenkia spicata var. tamanica
• Erythraea spicata
• Schenkia spicata var. ramosissima
• Gentiana spicata
• Erythraea babylonica
• Chironia spicata
• Hippion spicatum
• Centaurium spicatum
• Centaurium spicatum var. condensatum
• Centaurium subspicatum
• Erythraea spicata var. tamanica
• Erythraea spicata var. ramosissima

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianales. Finally, it is a member of the family Gentianaceae and is identified by the genus Schenkia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution primarily concentrated within Southwestern Europe. Its presence is documented across several distinct Mediterranean regions, including the islands of Baleares and Sardegna. Additionally, it can be found growing in the territory of Corse. The species also inhabits parts of mainland France. Finally, its range extends further west into the coastal areas of Portugal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Schenkia spicata is characterized by its preference for dense secondary shrubland and rude-ral vegetation, where it thrives amidst disturbed or regrowth habitats. This species is typically found at a mean elevation of 1200 m AMSL, occupying specific altitudinal niches within its ecosystem.

Elevational range mean:

1200 m AMSL

Habitat :

dense secondary shrub and ruderal vegetation

Life history

The life history of Schenkia spicata is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, meaning it completes its entire developmental cycle—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. In terms of its structural growth strategy and survival mechanism, it is categorized as a therophyte, a life form defined by plants that survive unfavorable seasons as ephemeral seeds rather than through persistent vegetative structures. This strategy allows the species to rapidly exploit favorable environmental conditions before retreating into a dormant seed state to endure periods of stress.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Schenkia spicata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This plant is primarily terrestrial in its ecological habit, though it can exist within aquatic and semiaquatic environments. It functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, as it maintains a terrestrial lifestyle. Structurally, the plant is self-supporting rather than being a climber, liana, or vine. It is a diminutive species, with a plant height that ranges from a minimum of 0.02 m to 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:

0.02 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Schenkia spicata is characterized by its specific morphological adaptations, particularly regarding its foliar dimensions which play a critical role in its photosynthetic efficiency and moisture regulation. The leaves exhibit a notable range of variability in size, with lengths typically spanning from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 3 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation, the leaf width is relatively narrow and constrained, measuring between a minimum of 0.4 cm and a maximum of 1 cm. This specific ratio of length to width suggests a specialized surface-area-to-volume relationship, likely adapted to optimize gas exchange and light interception within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

3 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf width max:

1 cm

Leaf width min:

0.4 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Schenkia spicata is characterized by a specific flowering season that begins in May and extends through October, though the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. Following pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of a capsule. These capsules are relatively small, with a length ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 1.5 cm, and a width that varies between 0.2 cm and 0.3 cm. Once the fruit has reached maturity, it undergoes a dehiscence process, meaning the capsule is dehiscence to release its seeds.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Oct

Fruit length max:

1.5 cm

Fruit length min:

1 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width max:

0.3 cm

Fruit width min:

0.2 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Schenkia spicata has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Iridoids, polyphenols.

Iridoids

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

polyphenols

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Schenkia spicata has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Antimicrobial

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Schenkia spicata has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Ethanol-water-based extraction procedures.

Ethanol-water-based extraction procedures

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)