Spigelia marilandica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant is distributed across several specific regions within the United States. In the North-Central portion of the country, it can be found growing in Illinois, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Its range also extends into the Northeastern United States, specifically within the state of Indiana. Additionally, the species is present in the South-Central region, where it inhabits Texas. Together, these locations define the primary geographical footprint of Spigelia marilandica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Spigelia marilandica is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial, the plant undergoes a cyclic development that involves establishing a robust root system to survive periods of dormancy, typically during the colder winter months. Its lifecycle allows it to re-emerge annually, utilizing stored energy to support its seasonal growth patterns, which include the emergence of foliage, the development of inflorescences, and eventually seed production. This long-term survival strategy enables the plant to colonize stable habitats where it can repeat its reproductive cycles over several years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Spigelia marilandica is characterized by a growth form categorized as both a herb and a forb, presenting a non-woody structure that lacks significant woodiness. This plant functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte, as it maintains a terrestrial existence rather than occupying aquatic or semiaquatic niches. In terms of its structural habit, it is a self-supporting species that does not exhibit climbing behaviors such as liana or vine characteristics, instead maintaining a stable, upright posture within its terrestrial habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Spigelia marilandica is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window that dictates its reproductive cycle. The flowering period typically commences in June, marking the onset of its reproductive phase, and continues through July. This relatively concentrated blooming window is essential for its pollination processes, ensuring that the plant's reproductive efforts are synchronized with its environmental conditions during these mid-summer months.

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Spigelia marilandica has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include LIGNIN, Tannin, myricin.

LIGNIN

1. Dr. Duke

Tannin

1. Dr. Duke

myricin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Spigelia marilandica has 38 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Anticariogenic.

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Anticariogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anticoronary

1. Dr. Duke

Antidiarrheic

1. Dr. Duke

Antidysenteric

1. Dr. Duke

Antihepatotoxic

1. Dr. Duke

Antihypertensive

1. Dr. Duke