bear's-foot

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• bear's-foot
• yellow bear's-foot
• yellow leaf-cup
• yellow-flower leaf-cup
• Hairy Leafcup
• bear's foot

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Polymnia macrophylla
• Osteospermum uvedalia
• Polymnia uvedalia
• Polymnia uvedalia var. densipilis
• Polymnia uvedalia var. floridana
• Polymniastrum uvedalia

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning across different continents. In Asia, it can be specifically found within the Southeast region of China. Its presence is also well-documented throughout parts of the North-Central United States. Within this American region, the species inhabits several states, including Illinois and Kansas. Furthermore, its range extends into the states of Missouri and Oklahoma.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Smallanthus uvedalia is characterized by its preference for open habitats, where it can thrive in environments with high light availability. This species typically colonizes disturbed areas, forest edges, and sunny openings within woodland ecosystems, where the reduction in canopy cover allows for the necessary solar radiation to support its growth. By occupying these open niches, the plant avoids the intense competition for light often found in dense, closed-canopy forests, allowing it to establish robust populations in transitional zones. Its ability to exploit these sun-exposed sites makes it a significant component of the herbaceous layer in successional landscapes.

Habitat :

open

Life history

The life history of Smallanthus uvedalia is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, meaning it is capable of living for several years throughout its biological cycle. As a perennial species, it does not complete its entire reproductive process within a single growing season like annuals, nor does it follow the strict two-year cycle of biennials; instead, it maintains a sustained presence in its ecosystem, often regenerating through various vegetative or reproductive mechanisms. This long-term life cycle allows the plant to establish a robust presence in its habitat, navigating multiple seasonal shifts and contributing to the long-term stability of its local environment.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Smallanthus uvedalia is characterized by a growth form classified as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic nature, and is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, showing no aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies. While it possesses a self-supporting structure rather than acting as an obligatory or facultative climber, vine, or liana, its physical development remains consistent with its non-woody, herbaceous habit.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Smallanthus uvedalia is characterized by its prolific production of seeds, which serve as the primary mechanism for dispersal and colonization. The seeds produced by this species exhibit a highly uniform physical profile, with a recorded seed mass of 0.0101 g. This specific measurement remains consistent across all observed data points, as the seed mass mean, maximum, and minimum values are all precisely 0.0101 g. This uniformity in seed weight suggests a highly standardized reproductive output, contributing to the plant's ability to establish itself effectively in its natural habitat through consistent seed morphology.

Seed mass mean:

0.0101 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Smallanthus uvedalia has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Perillene.

Perillene

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Smallanthus uvedalia has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include essential oils.

Essential oils

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)