Breckland Catchfly

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Breckland Catchfly
• Spanish Catchfly

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Viscago otites
• Cucubalus otites
• Lychnis otites
• Diplogama otites

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Silene otites, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling under the order Caryophyllales. Finally, it is a member of the family Caryophyllaceae and the genus Silene.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across various regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is documented in both Denmark and Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, the species can be found inhabiting the landscapes of Germany. Its range continues through the central territories of the Czechia-Slovakia region. Finally, the geographical spread of this medicinal plant extends further south into Austria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Silene otites is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist across multiple growing seasons. It functions as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or seasonal debris. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as part of its seasonal growth pattern.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Silene otites is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically categorized as a forb. The plant is a self-supporting species that does not exhibit climbing behavior, such as liana or vine tendencies, and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. It is a terrestrial plant, lacking aquatic or epiphytic habits. In terms of stature, its height is variable, ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 1.4 m, with an average plant height of approximately 0.296 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.4 m

Plant height mean:

0.296 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Silene otites is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, relying on traditional autotrophic methods for nutrient acquisition rather than capturing prey. Morphologically, its foliage is defined by a mean leaf size of 1.7 cm², contributing to a Specific Leaf Area (SLA) with a mean value of 129.4 cm²/g, a metric that reflects the structural investment and resource allocation within its leaf tissue.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

1.7 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

129.4 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Silene otiites is characterized by a sexual cycle driven by biotic pollination syndromes, specifically involving insects and bees. The flowering period typically commences in June and concludes in August, during which the plant utilizes self-fertilization to ensure reproductive success. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of a capsule. These capsules are dehiscence-type structures, with fruit lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.35 cm to a maximum of 0.5 cm, maintaining an average length of 0.425 cm. Seed production results in very small seeds, with a mean mass of 0.000238 g, falling within a range between 0.00016 g and 0.00041 g. Dispersal of these seeds is achieved through an autochorous syndrome, meaning the plant employs self-dispersal mechanisms. Notably, asexual reproduction is absent in this species, making it entirely dependent on its sexual reproductive processes.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

0.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.425 cm

Fruit length min:

0.35 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.00041 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000238 g

Seed mass min:

0.00016 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Silene otites has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2-Deoxy-20-hydroxyecdysone 3-crotonate.

2-Deoxy-20-hydroxyecdysone 3-crotonate

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis