Senecio latifolius

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Senecio sceleratus
• Senecio pergamentaceus

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further categorized under the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Senecio.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning across several regions of the African continent. In East Tropical Africa, its presence is specifically noted within the borders of Tanzania. Moving into the southern regions, it is widely distributed across various South Tropical African nations. This includes documented populations in Angola, Malawi, and Mozambique. Finally, the species also extends its reach into the territory of Zambia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Senecio latifolius is characterized by its ability to inhabit a diverse range of altitudinal gradients, allowing it to thrive across varied montane environments. This species is distributed across a broad vertical span, occupying habitats from low-lying areas starting at an elevation of 245 m AMSL up to high-altitude zones reaching a maximum of 1700 m AMSL. This significant elevational range suggests an adaptability to fluctuating temperature regimes and varying atmospheric pressures, enabling the plant to persist in both subtropical lowlands and cooler, more temperate highland ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

245 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Senecio latifolius is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial, it maintains a stable presence within its ecological niche, often developing robust root systems that facilitate long-term survival and regrowth after dormant periods. This extended lifecycle enables the plant to invest energy into sustained vegetative growth before transitioning into reproductive phases, which can occur over several years depending on environmental conditions. Throughout its life, the plant undergoes various developmental stages, from seedling establishment to maturity, utilizing its perennial nature to navigate seasonal fluctuations and ensure reproductive success across successive years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Senecio latifolius is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing behavior, nor does it function as an epiphyte or a parasite, maintaining an independent lifestyle. The plant is terrestrial in nature, occurring in non-aquatic environments, and typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 0.3 meters to a maximum of 1 meter.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Senecio latifolius is characterized by the production of specialized fruit known as achenes. These fruits are classified as indehiscent, meaning they do not split open at maturity to release their contents. The morphological dimensions of the achenes vary slightly, with a mean fruit length of 0.295 cm, ranging from a minimum of 0.23 cm to a maximum of 0.36 cm. In terms of width, the fruits maintain a mean of 0.1 cm, with values ranging between a minimum of 0.09 cm and a maximum of 0.11 cm. The height of the fruit is consistently measured, with a mean height of 0.1 cm and both a minimum and maximum recorded at 0.11 cm. Within these achenes, the seeds possess a mean mass of 0.001575 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.00113 g to a maximum of 0.00202 g.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Fruit height max:

0.11 cm

Fruit height mean:

0.1 cm

Fruit length max:

0.36 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.295 cm

Fruit length min:

0.23 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Fruit width max:

0.11 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.1 cm

Fruit width min:

0.09 cm

Seed mass max:

0.00202 g

Seed mass mean:

0.001575 g

Seed mass min:

0.00113 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Senecio latifolius has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include RETRORSINE.

RETRORSINE

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Senecio latifolius has 3 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Carcinogenic, Hepatotoxic, Teratogenic.

Carcinogenic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hepatotoxic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Teratogenic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Senecio latifolius has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include apoptosis, necrosis.

Most Reported Uses