Syngonanthus nitens

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Dupatya nitens
• Paepalanthus nitens
• Syngonanthus nitens var. filiformis
• Syngonanthus retrorsociliatus
• Syngonanthus nitens var. viviparus
• Eriocaulon filiforme
• Eriocaulon nitens
• Syngonanthus flavipes
• Syngonanthus kuhlmannii
• Syngonanthus nitens var. erectus
• Syngonanthus nitens var. hirtulus
• Syngonanthus nitens var. koernickei
• Syngonanthus nitens f. malmii
• Syngonanthus nitens f. pilosus
• Syngonanthus chrysanthus var. castrensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Further taxonomic placement identifies it as a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Poales. It is specifically categorized under the family Eriocaulaceae within the genus Syngonanthus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across several regions of the South American continent. In Northern South America, its presence is documented within the borders of Venezuela. Its distribution extends into Western South America, where it can be found in both Colombia and Bolivia. Within Brazil, the species occupies significant territories in the West-Central region. Additionally, the plant is also recorded as growing in the Northeast part of Brazil.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Syngonanthus nitens is characterized by its preference for specific hydrological and vegetative conditions, primarily inhabiting bosque bajo on saturated soil and within the cerrado biome. This species is distributed across a diverse altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1000 m AMSL, with an average elevational range centered around 200 m AMSL. Its requirement for saturated soils suggests a specialized niche within these ecosystems, where it thrives in moist, low-lying areas or seasonally flooded habitats typical of the tropical savanna environments.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Bosque bajo on saturated soil, cerrado

Life history

The life history of Syngonanthus nitens is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. Structurally, it functions as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or organic matter. This classification as a hemicryptophyte is consistent across its biological categorization, defining its survival strategy and growth habit within its specific ecological niche.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Syngonanthus nitens is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, lacking any woody structure in its development. This species functions as an independent organism, exhibiting no parasitic behavior toward other plants. In terms of its habitat and ecological positioning, it is primarily a terrestrial plant, though it can occupy niches ranging from aquatic to semiaquatic environments. It does not exhibit epiphytic tendencies, remaining strictly terrestrial rather than growing on other plants as a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte. Furthermore, the plant is self-supporting in its structure, lacking the climbing or vining habits associated with lianas or obligate climbers.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Syngonanthus nitens has 4 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antioxidant, Antiulcerogenic.

Antibacterial

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Antifungal

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Antioxidant

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Antiulcerogenic

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Medicinal Uses

Syngonanthus nitens has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Candida albicans, infection, vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Most Reported Uses