Obeah Bush

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Obeah Bush

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Stemodiacra maritima
• Stemodia maritima var. rigida

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales, it is classified under the family Plantaginaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identification falls under the genus Stemodia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions. In North America, its presence is noted specifically in Southeast Mexico. Moving southward, it can be found within the tropical landscapes of Belize in Central America. The species also extends into the Caribbean, where it inhabits the islands of Aruba and the Bahamas. Additionally, its range includes the coastal areas of the Cayman Islands.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Stemodia maritima is characterized by its presence in diverse and specialized Brazilian ecosystems, specifically inhabiting the Caatinga (strictu sensu), Campo Rupestre, and Restinga environments. These distinct habitats reflect a capacity to adapt to varying moisture levels and soil compositions, ranging from the semi-arid conditions of the Caatinga to the sandy, coastal substrates of the Restinga and the rocky outcrops of the Campo Rupestre. The species typically thrives at a mean elevation of approximately 300 m AMSL, positioning it within low-to-mid altitude ecological zones.

Elevational range mean:

300 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campo Rupestre, Restinga

Life history

The life history of Stemodia maritima is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it maintains a continuous presence in its natural habitat, often utilizing specialized structures to survive unfavorable environmental conditions before regenerating. This long-term growth strategy enables the plant to establish stable populations within its ecological niche, undergoing cycles of vegetative growth and reproductive phases over several years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Stemodia maritima is characterized by its classification as a non-woody herb and a forb, exhibiting a growth habit that is predominantly terrestrial rather than aquatic or semiaquatic. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as an obligatory or facultative climber, nor does it possess the structure of a liana or vine. The species is entirely independent, showing no parasitic tendencies, and it lacks any epiphytic qualities, remaining strictly terrestrial instead of acting as a holoepiphyte, hemiepiphyte, or any other form of epiphyte. Its structural integrity is defined by its non-woody nature, maintaining a soft, herbaceous form throughout its development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Stemodia maritima has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Stemarin, Stemodin, Stemodinone, Maritimol, Stemodane.

Stemarin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytochemistry

Stemodin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytochemistry

Stemodinone

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytochemistry

Maritimol

1. Dr. Duke

Stemodane

1. Phytochemistry

Stemodinol

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Stemodia maritima has 5 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antiviral, Cytotoxic, Pesticide.

Antimicrobial

1. Frontiers in physiology

Antioxidant

1. Frontiers in physiology

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke

Pesticide

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Stemodia maritima has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Alveolar Bone Loss, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, periodontitis.

Alveolar bone loss

1. Frontiers in physiology

Inflammation

1. Frontiers in physiology

Oxidative stress

1. Frontiers in physiology

Periodontitis

1. Frontiers in physiology