Stachytarpheta indica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Stachytarpheta angustifolia f. elatior
• Zappania indica
• Stachytarpheta jamaicensis var. indica
• Stachytarpheta angustifolia f. jenmanii
• Stachytarpheta jamaicensis f. parviflora
• Verbena indica
• Verbena angustifolia
• Valerianoides jamaicensis var. linearifolia
• Stachytarpheta angustifolia var. elatior
• Valerianoides indica
• Stachytarpheta elatior
• Stachytarpheta elatior var. jenmanii
• Stachytarpheta angustifolia
• Stachytarpheta angustifolia f. rionegrensis
• Zappania angustifolia
• Stachytarpheta angustissima

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 Lamiales, it is classified under the family Verbenaecae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Stachytarpheta, and species name, indica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is found within the specific ecological zones of West Tropical Africa. Its geographical range includes the nation of Burkina. Furthermore, it can be located throughout the territories of Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. The species also inhabits the landscapes of Guinea. Finally, its distribution extends into the country of Liberia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Stachytarpheta indica is characterized by a diverse range of environmental conditions, as it inhabits several distinct biomes including Caatinga (strictu sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Igapó, and Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial). This adaptability allows the species to thrive across varying moisture regimes and vegetation structures, from semi-arid scrublands to humid gallery and rainforest environments. Geographically, the species is primarily found at low altitudes, with an elevational range spanning from 0 m to a maximum of 500 m AMSL. The average elevation for its occurrence is approximately 120 m AMSL, indicating a strong preference for lowland ecological niches.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

120 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Igapó, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Stachytarpheta indica is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth patterns and survival strategies, it exhibits a dual classification of life forms; it functions as a therophyte, completing its seasonal development through a specific life cycle, while also manifesting the characteristics of a chamaephyte, where its perennating buds are located near or just above the soil surface.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Stachytarpheta indica is characterized by a growth form that functions as a non-woody herb or subshrub. As a self-supporting plant, it does not exhibit climbing tendencies such as liana or vine behavior, nor does it act as an obligatory or facultative climber. It is an independent organism that does not function as a parasite, maintaining a terrestrial existence rather than acting as an epiphyte. The plant's habitat and ecological niche range across aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial environments. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of approximately 0.61 m to a maximum of about 1.22 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.219214826 m

Plant height min:

0.609607413 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Stachytarpheta indica is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, where carbon fixation occurs primarily through the Calvin cycle during the light-independent reactions. This metabolic strategy implies that the plant utilizes the enzyme RuBisCO to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide directly, which is typical for many herbaceous species in its ecological niche. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition processes, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria (such as Rhizobium or Frankia) required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its nitrogen requirements must be met through the uptake of nitrates or ammonium present in the soil substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Stachytarpheta indica is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and the production of minute seeds. The flowering period for this species is highly variable, typically commencing in March and concluding in April, though its seasonal cycle can encompass a broad range of months throughout the year. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds that are remarkably uniform in size. The seed mass is consistently recorded at 0.0017 g, with the mean, maximum, and minimum mass values all aligning at this precise measurement, indicating a highly standardized seed production process.

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Apr

Seed mass mean:

0.0017 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Stachytarpheta indica has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Biochemistry research international

Conditions

Stachytarpheta indica has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease

1. CNS & neurological disorders drug targets

Preparations

Stachytarpheta indica has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Soxhlet extraction of plant samples in ethanol.

Soxhlet extraction of plant samples in ethanol

1. Biochemistry research international