Indian Daisy

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Creeping Daisy
• Creeping Oxeye
• Singapore Daisy
• goldcup
• wedelia
• wild marigold
• Creeping Ox-eye
• Creeping wild daisy
• Trailing Daisy
• Bay Biscayne creeping-oxeye

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Verbesina carnosa
• Acmella brasiliensis
• Verbesina carnosa var. triloba
• Acmella spilanthoides
• Wedelia trilobata var. pilosissima
• Wedelia paludosa var. vialis
• Verbesina tridentata
• Buphthalmum strigosum
• Stemmodontia carnosa
• Polymnia crenata
• Seruneum paludosum
• Silphium trilobatum
• Sphagneticola ulei
• Wedelia carnosa
• Wedelia crenata
• Wedelia paludicola
• Wedelia paludosa
• Wedelia pedunculata
• Wedelia tannensis
• Wedelia trilobata
• Wedelia trilobata var. hirtella
• Complaya trilobata
• Seruneum trilobatum
• Stemmodontia trilobata
• Thelechitonia trilobata
• Wedelia brasiliensis
• Wedelia carnosa triloba
• Wedelia paludosa var. latifolia
• Buphthalmum heterophyllum
• Buphthalmum procumbens
• Buphthalmum repens

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered under Asterales and placed in the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Sphagneticola.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several distinct regions. Within the Macaronesian archipelago, it can be found inhabiting the Canary Islands. It also extends its range to the island of Madeira in the same region. Moving toward West Tropical Africa, the species is documented in the country of Benin. Finally, its presence is noted in the West African nations of Guinea and Nigeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Sphagneticola trilobata is characterized by its ability to thrive across a broad altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 1465 m AMSL. It demonstrates significant adaptability to diverse environments, frequently colonizing both anthropic areas (Área Antrópica) and coastal restinga ecosystems (Restinga). This capacity to inhabit human-disturbed landscapes alongside specialized coastal formations highlights its ecological versatility and its tendency to establish itself in varied topographical and anthropogenic settings.

Elevational range max:

1465 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Restinga

Genetics

The genetics of Sphagneticola trilobata are characterized by a notable degree of chromosomal variation and polyploid tendencies. Cytogenetic studies indicate that the chromosome number is not uniform across all populations, with recorded values ranging from 40, 50, 52, up to 56. Despite this numerical variation, the baseline ploidy level is identified as 2, suggesting that the observed differences in chromosome counts may arise from complex genomic restructuring or localized variations within the species' genetic framework.

Chromosome number :

40, 50 52, 56

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Sphagneticola trilobatata is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived species, it maintains a continuous presence in its habitat, often spreading aggressively through its growth habits. Its lifecycle involves a continuous cycle of vegetative expansion and seasonal reproductive phases, which enables it to colonize disturbed areas and ground covers rapidly. Because it is perennial, the plant can withstand varying environmental conditions over several years, establishing a stable root system that supports its spreading, creeping stems and ensures its long-term survival in its ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Sphagneticola trilobata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It functions as a self-supporting, independent plant that is neither a parasite nor an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. The plant exhibits a prostrate shoot orientation, spreading across the ground rather than growing upright. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.3 m, resulting in an average plant height of 0.4 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.3 m

Plant height mean:

0.4 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Shoot orientation :

prostrate

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Sphagneticola trilobata is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its foliage and its metabolic relationship with soil nutrients. The leaf structure exhibits significant variability in size, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 11 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 2 cm and a maximum of 5 cm, reflecting a dynamic growth pattern within its vegetative tissues. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic capabilities, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the physiological mechanisms to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form through symbiotic associations.

Leaf length max:

11 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Sphagneticola trilobata is characterized by the production of small, specialized fruits known as achenes. These fruits are relatively minute in size, with a length ranging from a minimum of 0.4 cm to a maximum of 0.5 cm. In terms of structural maturity, the fruits are classified as indehiscent, meaning they do not spontaneously split open at maturity to release their seeds. The dispersal of these seeds is facilitated through multiple syndromes, exhibiting a versatile strategy that includes hydrochorous dispersal via water and epizoochorous dispersal, where the seeds or fruits attach to animals for transport.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

epizoochorous

Fruit length max:

0.5 cm

Fruit length min:

0.4 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Sphagneticola trilobata has 4 reported plant parts identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, flower, root, stem.

Leaf

1. Bioorganic chemistry
2. Toxicology research
3. Journal of microbiology and biotechnology
4. Die Pharmazie

Flower

1. Chemistry & biodiversity
2. Die Pharmazie

Root

1. Die Pharmazie

Stem

1. Die Pharmazie

Chemicals

Sphagneticola trilobata has 21 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Kaurenoic acid, luteolin, (+)-(R)-Limonene, 1H-Indole-3-carbaldehyde, 1H-Indole-3-carboxylic acid.

Kaurenoic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Die Pharmazie

luteolin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Die Pharmazie

(+)-(R)-Limonene

1. Scientific reports

1H-Indole-3-carbaldehyde

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

1H-Indole-3-carboxylic acid

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Anti-stress

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Bicyclogermacrene

1. Journal of microbiology and biotechnology

Bicyclosesquiphellandrene

1. Journal of microbiology and biotechnology

Calcium (Ca)

1. Botanical studies

Copper (Cu)

1. Botanical studies

Activities

Sphagneticola trilobata has 7 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antimalarial, Antimicrobial, Antinociceptive, Antioxidant.

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antimalarial

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Antimicrobial

1. Scientific reports

Antinociceptive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Advances in pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences

Apoptotic

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Sedative

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Sphagneticola trilobata has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Hepatocellular carcinoma, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, infections, menorrhagia, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Hepatocellular carcinoma

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

1. Scientific reports

Infections

1. Journal of microbiology and biotechnology

Menorrhagia

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus

1. Journal of microbiology and biotechnology

Oxidative stress

1. Advances in pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences

Preparations

Sphagneticola trilobata has 10 reported preparations identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanolic extract, 3α-Angeloyloxy-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid, extract, extracts, hydrodistillation essential oil.

Methanolic extract

1. Bioorganic chemistry
2. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

3α-angeloyloxy-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid

1. Journal of natural products

Extract

1. Therapie

Extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hydrodistillation essential oil

1. Journal of microbiology and biotechnology

Leaves water extracts

1. Toxicology research

Lyophilized extract

1. Talanta

Methanolic extracts

1. Die Pharmazie

Soft extract

1. Talanta

Spray-dried extracts

1. Talanta