Tropical fanpetals

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• ortie long
• Tropical Fanpetals

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sida urens var. prostrata
• Sida dasytricha
• Sida verticillata
• Sida domingensis
• Sida debilis
• Sida boivinii
• Sida breviflora
• Sida congensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Sida urens, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae within the order Malvales. Finally, it is a member of the family Malvaceae and is categorized under the genus Sida.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a distinct geographical distribution spanning across several key regions of the Atlantic and African continents. Within the Macaronesia archipelago, its presence is specifically noted in Cape Verde. The species also extends into West Tropical Africa, where it can be found in Benin and Burkina. Furthermore, its range continues through the coastal and inland areas of Ghana. Finally, the distribution is completed by its occurrence in Guinea-Bissau.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Sida urens is characterized by its ability to thrive across a broad altitudinal spectrum, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to elevations of 2000 m AMSL. This species demonstrates significant ecological plasticity, frequently colonizing anthropized areas (Área Antrópica) where human disturbance has altered the landscape, as well as natural formations within the Cerrado (latu sensu) biome. Its presence in both disturbed sites and native savanna ecosystems highlights its adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and its capacity to persist in varying levels of land management and soil stability.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Cerrado (lato sensu)

Genetics

The genetics of Sida urens are characterized by a specific karyotypic structure that serves as a fundamental cytogenetic marker for the species. Detailed cytogenetic analysis reveals that the plant possesses a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 32. This chromosomal configuration plays a critical role in the species' reproductive biology and evolutionary lineage within the Malvaceae family. The stability of this chromosome number is essential for maintaining the genetic integrity and phenotypic consistency of the plant across various ecological niches.

Chromosome number :

32

Life history

The life history of Sida urens is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its biological structure and survival strategy, the species exhibits distinct life forms depending on environmental conditions and developmental stages, categorized specifically as both a chamaephyte and a therophyte. This dual classification indicates a versatile growth habit where it can function as a low-growing subshrub with buds located near the soil surface or complete its life cycle through an annual ephemeral stage.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Sida urens is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, typically reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 1 meter. It functions as a self-supporting organism, categorized as a self-supporting plant rather than a liana, vine, or obligatory climber. The species is terrestrial in nature, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, and does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, remaining strictly terrestrial throughout its life cycle. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite, maintaining its own nutrient acquisition without reliance on a host. Its structure is defined by a non-woody composition, consistent with its classification as a herbaceous plant.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Sida urens is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency under varying environmental conditions. The vegetative development of the plant is reflected in its leaf morphology, where the leaves exhibit a specific size range; individual leaf lengths typically vary from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 10 cm. This variation in leaf dimensions plays a critical role in the plant's surface area for light interception and gas exchange, directly influencing its overall physiological performance and biomass production.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Sida urens is characterized by the production of small, specialized reproductive structures that facilitate its dispersal and propagation. The plant produces fruits that reach a maximum length of approximately 0.2 cm. Within these fruits, the seeds exhibit highly consistent morphological and mass characteristics. The seeds are minute, with a maximum recorded seed length of 1.5 mm. In terms of weight, the seed mass is extremely fine, maintaining a mean value of 0.001305 g. The variability in seed mass is minimal, ranging from a minimum of 0.00125 g to a maximum of 0.00136 g, ensuring a uniform distribution of reproductive potential across the seed set.

Fruit length max:

0.2 cm

Seed length max:

1.5 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00136 g

Seed mass mean:

0.001305 g

Seed mass min:

0.00125 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Sida urens has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antibacterial.

Analgesic

1. Annals of clinical microbiology and antimicrobials

Antibacterial

1. Annals of clinical microbiology and antimicrobials

Conditions

Sida urens has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include fever, infectious diseases, pain.

Fever

1. Annals of clinical microbiology and antimicrobials

Infectious diseases

1. Annals of clinical microbiology and antimicrobials

Pain

1. Annals of clinical microbiology and antimicrobials