Nodeweed

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Nodeweed
• cinderella-weed
• synedrella
• Cinderella weed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ucacou nodiflorum
• Verbesina nodiflora
• Wedelia cryptocephala

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is placed under the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Synedrella, specifically as the species Synedrella nodiflora.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range spanning several regions across the Atlantic and African continents. Within the Macaronesia region, its presence is noted in Cape Verde. Moving toward the mainland, it is widely distributed throughout West Tropical Africa. Specifically, it can be found in the countries of Benin and Burkina. Furthermore, its distribution extends to the coastal West Tropical African nations of Guinea-Bissau and Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Synedrella nodiflora is characterized by its adaptability to diverse environmental conditions across a significant altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to elevations of 1900 m AMSL. This species is commonly found inhabiting distinct Brazilian biomes, specifically thriving within the Caatinga (strictu sensu), Campo Limpo, and the Cerrado (lato sensu). Its presence in these varied habitats suggests a resilience to different soil types and moisture regimes, allowing it to colonize both open grassland environments and more arid, shrubby landscapes.

Elevational range max:

1900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campo Limpo, Cerrado (lato sensu)

Genetics

The genetics of Synedrella nodiflora are characterized by significant variation in its chromosomal makeup, with recorded chromosome numbers including 18, 32, 36, 38, and 40. Despite this numerical diversity across different samples or populations, the species is classified at a ploidy level of 2, indicating a diploid state.

Chromosome number :

18, 32, 36, 38, 40

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Synedrella nodiflora is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, its biological strategy focuses on surviving unfavorable conditions through the production of seeds, which remain dormant until environmental circumstances become optimal for growth. This life form dictates its rapid progression through vegetative and reproductive phases, ensuring that the species can quickly colonize disturbed habitats and exploit available resources before the onset of seasonal changes.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Synedrella nodiflora is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb or forb. This species is primarily terrestrial in its habitat, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. As a self-supporting plant, it does not exhibit climbing habits such as liana or vine growth. In terms of stature, the plant is relatively small, with a height that ranges from a minimum of 0 meters to a maximum of 1.5 meters, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 1 meter.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

1 m

Plant height min:

0 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of Synedrella nodiflora are heavily defined by its foliar morphology and moisture management strategies. The leaves exhibit a significant range in size, with lengths varying from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 10 cm, while the width of the blades fluctuates between a minimum of 0.7 cm and a maximum of 5.5 cm. Regarding its water storage capabilities, the plant does not exhibit succulence, indicating that it relies on standard leaf tissue structures rather than specialized fleshy adaptations for water retention. This lack of succulence suggests a physiological reliance on consistent environmental moisture or more conventional methods of transpiration control to maintain cellular turgidity.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf width max:

5.5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.7 cm

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Synedrella nodiflora is characterized by the production of small, yellow flowers that facilitate the development of its specialized fruit. The plant produces dry, indehiscent fruits classified as achenes. The seeds contained within these fruits are remarkably small and consistent in size, with a mean seed mass of approximately 0.000635 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.00063 g to a maximum of 0.00064 g) and a uniform seed volume of 0.56 mm³. The dispersal of these seeds follows a zoochorous syndrome, relying on animals to assist in the spread of the species to new habitats.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flower colour :

yellow

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit type :

achene

Seed mass max:

0.00064 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000635 g

Seed mass min:

0.00063 g

Seed volume max:

0.56 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Synedrella nodiflora has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of environmental pathology, toxicology and oncology : official organ of the International Society for Environmental Toxicology and Cancer

Chemicals

Synedrella nodiflora has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include EO, Oxyphyllacinol, Polyacetylene, SUGIOL, estradiol.

EO

1. Dr. Duke

Oxyphyllacinol

1. Advances in pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences

Polyacetylene

1. Dr. Duke

SUGIOL

1. Advances in pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences

estradiol

1. Bangladesh Medical Research Council bulletin

valine

1. Advances in pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences

Activities

Synedrella nodiflora has 3 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiaging, Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective.

Antiaging

1. Advances in pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences

Antioxidant

1. Advances in pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences

Hepatoprotective

1. Journal of environmental pathology, toxicology and oncology : official organ of the International Society for Environmental Toxicology and Cancer

Medicinal Uses

Synedrella nodiflora has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include contraceptive, oxidative stress, rheumatism.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations