Silene firma

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Elisanthe firma
• Neoussuria firma
• Melandrium firmum
• Melandrium apricum f. pubescens
• Silene firma f. pubescens
• Melandrium apricum var. firmum
• Melandrium firmum f. pubescens
• Silene aprica var. firma
• Melandrium firmum var. pubescens
• Ussuria firma
• Silene apica var. firma
• Silene epilosa

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 Caryophyllales. Finally, it is a member of the family Caryophyllaceae and is placed in the genus Silene.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions of East Asia. In the vast territory of Siberia, its presence is specifically noted in the Chita region. Moving towards the Russian Far East, it can be found spanning the Amur, Khabarovsk, and Primorye areas. Furthermore, its range extends into the southern portions of the continent within China South-Central. Together, these locations highlight the specific environmental niches where the species thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Silene firma is characterized by its ability to thrive across diverse and specific environmental niches, primarily inhabiting areas such as rivers, sandy substrates, shores, and shrubberies. This species exhibits a significant vertical distribution within its landscape, occupying an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 300 m AMSL to a maximum of 2500 m AMSL. Across its entire geographic spread, the plant maintains an average elevation of approximately 1400 m AMSL, reflecting its adaptation to both lower-altitude riparian and coastal zones as well as higher-altitude montane environments.

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Habitat :

rivers, sand, shores, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Silene firma is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. As an annual species, it begins its life cycle through seed germination triggered by favorable environmental conditions, typically following a period of dormancy. During its vegetative phase, the plant focuses on developing its root system and foliage to accumulate the necessary energy reserves for reproduction. This rapid growth phase is followed by a reproductive stage where it produces flowers and undergoes pollination to facilitate the creation of seeds. Once the seeds have reached maturity, the plant completes its biological mission and undergoes senescence, dying off before the end of the season. This strategy ensures that the species persists through the dispersal of its progeny, which will wait for the next seasonal cycle to begin the process anew.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Silene firma is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It functions as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber, maintaining an upright stature without the need for external support. In terms of dimension, the plant exhibits a variable height, typically reaching a mean height of 0.75 m, with individual specimens ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 1 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.75 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Silene firma is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. Its vegetative growth is defined by specific leaf dimensions that reflect its morphological adaptation. The leaves exhibit a mean length of 7 cm, ranging from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 10 cm. Concurrently, the leaf width varies significantly, with a mean measurement of 1.65 cm, spanning from a minimum width of 0.8 cm to a maximum of 2.5 cm.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

7 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

2.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

1.65 cm

Leaf width min:

0.8 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Silene firma is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and distinct fruit morphology. The flowering period typically commences in July and reaches its conclusion in August. Following pollination, the plant develops fruits that exhibit measurable variation in size; the fruit length ranges from a minimum of 0.8 cm to a maximum of 1.1 cm, with an average length of approximately 0.95 cm.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

1.1 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.95 cm

Fruit length min:

0.8 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Silene firma has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (-)-bornesitol, 2-methoxy-9-beta-d-ribofuranosyl purine, 20-HYDROXYECDYSONE, Anthraquinones, Cytisoside.

(-)-bornesitol

1. Archives of pharmacal research

2-methoxy-9-beta-d-ribofuranosyl purine

1. Archives of pharmacal research

20-HYDROXYECDYSONE

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Anthraquinones

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Cytisoside

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Ecdysteron

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Ecdysterone

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Ergosterol peroxide

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Flavonoids

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Inokosterone

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Activities

Silene firma has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer.

Anticancer

1. Frontiers in pharmacology