morning flower

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Wedelia

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Wedelia linearis
• Seruneum calendulaceum
• Thelechitonia chinensis
• Verbesina calendulacea
• Wedelia bengalensis
• Wedelia chinensis
• Wedelia zollingeriana
• Complaya chinensis
• Polymnia benghalensis
• Polymnia calendulacea
• Jaegeria calendulacea
• Solidago chinensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is a member of the Asteraceae family. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Sphagneticola.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions of the Asian and European continents. In Southeastern Europe, its presence is specifically noted in Italy. Moving toward the Asian continent, it can be found in the Manchuria region of China. Its range further extends into Southeast China, covering a significant portion of that territory. Additionally, the species is widely distributed throughout Eastern Asia, including both Japan and Korea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Sphagneticola calendulacea is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. This longevity enables the species to establish dense, creeping mats across its habitat, as it does not rely on a single reproductive cycle to complete its existence. Throughout its lifespan, the plant undergoes continuous vegetative expansion via stolons, which facilitates its ability to colonize large areas and maintain its presence in the ecosystem over many years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

Morphologically, Sphagneticola calendulacea is characterized as a non-woody herb with a growth form categorized as both a herb and a forb. The plant typically reaches a mean height of approximately 0.5 m. It functions as a self-supporting organism, exhibiting neither liana nor vine climbing habits, and grows as an independent species rather than a parasite. In terms of its ecological habitat and positioning, it is a terrestrial plant, functioning as a terrestrial species rather than an epiphyte or an aquatic organism.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Sphagneticola calendulacea is characterized by its robust growth patterns and efficient metabolic processes adapted for diverse environments. As a member of the Asteraceae family, the plant exhibits high photosynthetic efficiency, allowing it to thrive as a groundcover in both shaded and sunlit areas. Its physiological resilience is supported by a specialized root system that facilitates rapid nutrient uptake and water absorption, enabling quick colonization of new territories. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium, necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for plant growth. Consequently, its nitrogen assimilation relies entirely on the availability of nitrogenous compounds within the soil substrate. Furthermore, its physiological adaptability extends to its ability to tolerate various soil pH levels and moisture fluctuations, maintaining cellular homeostasis through effective osmotic regulation.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Sphagneticola calendulacea has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Ayu

Chemicals

Sphagneticola calendulacea has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Wedelolactone, apigenin, luteolin, (-)-Kaur-16-en-19-oic acid, Calcium (Ca).

Wedelolactone

1. Frontiers in plant science
2. Frontiers in pharmacology
3. Carcinogenesis
4. Scientific reports
5. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

apigenin

1. Carcinogenesis
2. Scientific reports
3. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

luteolin

1. Carcinogenesis
2. Scientific reports
3. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

(-)-Kaur-16-en-19-oic acid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Calcium (Ca)

1. Botanical studies

Copper (Cu)

1. Botanical studies

Demethylwedelolactone

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoid

1. Heliyon

Gallic acid

1. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Vanillic acid

1. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Sphagneticola calendulacea has 11 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Antitumor, Anticancer, Anticholinesterase.

Antibacterial

1. Frontiers in pharmacology
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Heliyon
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antitumor

1. Frontiers in plant science
2. Frontiers in pharmacology

Anticancer

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Anticholinesterase

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antifungal

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antihepatotoxic

1. Frontiers in plant science

Antimicrobial

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antineoplastic

1. Heliyon

Antiviral

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Preparations

Sphagneticola calendulacea has 8 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Aqueous extract, Ethyl acetate extracts, Extracts, Petroleum Ether Extract, herbal extract.

Aqueous extract

1. Ayu

Ethyl acetate extracts

1. Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry

Extracts

1. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Petroleum ether extract

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Herbal extract

1. Carcinogenesis

Hot water extract of fresh w. chinensis

1. PloS one

Oriental herbal medicine

1. Carcinogenesis

Surface-washed water

1. New microbes and new infections