Setaria flavida

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Panicum granulare
• Panicum flavidum
• Panicum flavidum var. orarium
• Paspalidium flavidum
• Paspalidium breviflorum

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Following the order Poales, it is classified under the family Poaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Setaria, with the specific species being Setaria flavida.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a scattered distribution across several key regions of the Indian Ocean and the Middle East. Within the Western Indian Ocean, its presence is documented across the islands of Mauritius and Madagascar. It can also be found in the archipelagoes of Réunion and Rodrigues. Beyond these island territories, the species extends its range into the Arabian Peninsula. Specifically, it is known to grow within the borders of Yemen.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Setaria flavida is defined by its presence within specific altitudinal gradients, where it thrives across a diverse vertical landscape. This species is typically found inhabiting environments ranging from lowlands to montane regions, maintaining a documented elevational range that begins at a minimum of 200 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 1300 m AMSL. This broad altitudinal distribution suggests an adaptability to varying temperature regimes and atmospheric pressures found between these two limits. Within this range, the plant occupies ecological niches that support its growth requirements, likely influenced by the specific soil compositions and moisture availability characteristic of these varying elevations.

Elevational range max:

1300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Setaria flavida is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist across multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural development and survival strategy, it functions as a helophyte, often existing in transitional habitats between aquatic and terrestrial environments. Additionally, its growth habit is classified as a cryptophyte, indicating that its regenerative buds are protected beneath the soil or leaf litter to withstand unfavorable environmental conditions.

Life form :

helophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Setaria flavida is characterized by its growth form as a graminoid herb, functioning as a non-woody, self-supporting plant. It is an independent organism that does not exhibit parasitic or epiphytic behavior, maintaining a terrestrial existence rather than an aquatic or semiaquatic habit. The plant is relatively low-growing, reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 0.4 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

graminoid

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.4 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Setaria flavida is characterized by a highly efficient metabolic structure, specifically utilizing a C4 photosynthetic pathway to optimize carbon fixation and minimize photorespiration, which allows for superior resource management in varying environmental conditions. The vegetative morphology is defined by diminutive foliage, where the leaves exhibit a maximum length of only 0.05 cm and a maximum width of 0.35 cm, reflecting a specialized structural adaptation.

Leaf length max:

0.05 cm

Leaf width max:

0.35 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C4

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Setaria flavida has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

Chemicals

Setaria flavida has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include oleic acid.

oleic acid

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

Activities

Setaria flavida has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Gastroprotective, Hepatoprotective.

Gastroprotective

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

Hepatoprotective

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

Preparations

Setaria flavida has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous methanol extract.

Aqueous methanol extract

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)