Sphaeranthus africanus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sphaeranthus indicus
• Sphaeranthus laevigatus
• Sphaeranthus microcephalus
• Sphaeranthus microcephalus
• Sphaeranthus ovalis
• Sphaeranthus paniculatus
• Sphaeranthus sphenocleoides
• Sphaeranthus suberiflorus
• Sphaeranthus cochinchinensis
• Sphaeranthus glaber
• Sphaeranthus globosus
• Sphaeranthus hildebrandtii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales, eventually being placed in the family Asteraceae. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Sphaeranthus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several distinct regions. In East Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in both Kenya and Tanzania. It can also be found within South Tropical Africa, specifically in Mozambique. Furthermore, the species inhabits the Western Indian Ocean, with populations located in Madagascar. Finally, its range extends to China, where it is found in the South-Central region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Sphaeranthus africanus 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 initiates its life cycle when seeds germinate in favorable soil conditions, typically following a period of dormancy. The plant then undergoes a rapid vegetative growth phase, establishing a root system and developing its characteristic leafy structure. This is followed by a reproductive phase where it produces inflorescences to facilitate pollination. Once sexual maturity is reached and seeds are successfully dispersed, the individual plant completes its biological mission and dies, leaving the next generation to emerge from the released seeds in the subsequent season.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Sphaeranthus africanus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. This terrestrial plant is self-supporting rather than being a climber or a vine, and it functions as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. In terms of its stature, the plant typically reaches a height of up to 1 meter, with a mean height of approximately 1 meter and a minimum height that can approach 0 meters depending on the developmental stage. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic characteristics, nor does it grow as an epiphyte.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

1 m

Plant height min:

0 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Sphaeranthus africanus has 2 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower, leaf.

Flower

1. Food & nutrition research
2. Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology
3. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine
4. Complementary therapies in medicine

Leaf

1. Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology

Chemicals

Sphaeranthus africanus has 17 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Steroids, Terpenoids, Asperglaucide, Astragalin.

Flavonoids

1. Annales pharmaceutiques francaises
2. Journal of advanced pharmaceutical technology & research

Steroids

1. Annales pharmaceutiques francaises
2. Ancient science of life

Terpenoids

1. Annales pharmaceutiques francaises
2. Journal of advanced pharmaceutical technology & research

Asperglaucide

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Astragalin

1. Journal of molecular modeling

Cardiac Glycosides

1. Ancient science of life

Chrysoplenol D

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Isoquercetin

1. Journal of molecular modeling

Phenols

1. Ancient science of life

ROS

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Activities

Sphaeranthus africanus has 12 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hepatoprotective, Antibacterial, Anticonvulsant, Antihyperglycemic, Antimicrobial.

Hepatoprotective

1. Annales pharmaceutiques francaises
2. International journal of Ayurveda research

Antibacterial

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Anticonvulsant

1. International journal of Ayurveda research

Antihyperglycemic

1. International journal of Ayurveda research

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology

Antimitotic

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Antioxidant

1. International journal of Ayurveda research

Antiproliferative

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Anxiolytic

1. International journal of Ayurveda research

Hypolipidemic

1. International journal of Ayurveda research

Conditions

Sphaeranthus africanus has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include pain, sore throat.

Pain

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Sore throat

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Preparations

Sphaeranthus africanus has 8 reported preparations identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Methanolic extracts, crude extracts, ethanol, ethanolic extracts, ethyl acetate.

Methanolic extracts

1. Parasitology research

Crude extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ethanol

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Ethanolic extracts

1. Dose-response : a publication of International Hormesis Society

Ethyl acetate

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Flower head extracts

1. Food & nutrition research

Hexane

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Hydroalcoholic extract

1. International journal of Ayurveda research