Stizolophus balsamita

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Stizolophus balsamitella
• Centaurea balsamitella
• Calcitrapa balsamita
• Centaurea balsamita

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 Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Stizolophus as Stizolophus balsamita.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several distinct regions. In Middle Europe, its presence is specifically noted within Germany. Moving eastward, it is widely distributed throughout various parts of Central Asia. Within this region, the species can be found growing in Kazakhstan and Kirgizstan. Furthermore, its range extends into the territories of Turkmenistan and Tadzhikistan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Stizolophus balsamita is defined by its presence across diverse landscapes, ranging from managed environments like cropfields and parks to more rugged, natural terrains such as mountains. This species demonstrates a significant vertical distribution within its environment, occupying an elevational range that begins at 1100 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum altitude of 2400 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1100 m AMSL

Habitat :

cropfields,mountains,parks

Life history

The life history of Stizolophon balsamita is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire biological development—from germination and vegetative growth to flowering and seed production—within a single growing season. Following the germination of seeds in favorable soil conditions, the plant focuses its energy on establishing a leafy structure before transitioning into its reproductive phase. Once the flowering stage is achieved, the plant produces seeds to ensure the continuation of the species, after which the individual plant expires. This rapid developmental cycle allows the species to exploit seasonal windows of resource availability, relying on a prolific seed bank to persist in its environment through successive generations.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Stizolophon balsamita is characterized by a growth form classified as a herb, exhibiting a non-woody structure throughout its development. The plant displays a versatile habitat adaptability, capable of existing in aquatic, semiaquatic, or terrestrial environments. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species, with a plant height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.25 m to a maximum of 1.5 m. Furthermore, the species functions as an independent organism, maintaining a non-parasitic lifestyle.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height min:

0.25 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Stizolophus balsamita has 2 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, flower.

Leaf

1. Phytochemistry
2. Data in brief
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Flower

1. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Stizolophus balsamita has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Stizolicin, Stizolin, TAXIFOLIN, Balsamin, Flavonoid.

Stizolicin

1. Phytochemistry
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Stizolin

1. Phytochemistry
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

TAXIFOLIN

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. International journal of molecular sciences

Balsamin

1. Phytochemistry

Flavonoid

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoids

1. International journal of molecular sciences

TXF

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

parthenolide

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Stizolophus balsamita has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include erythema, hyperpigmentation.

Erythema

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Hyperpigmentation

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Stizolophus balsamita has 4 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 3% S. balsamita extract, extract, inflorescence, standardised methanol extract from the leaves.

3% s. balsamita extract

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Extract

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Inflorescence

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Standardised methanol extract from the leaves

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)