fameflower

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• fameflower
• jewels-of-Opar
• pink baby's-breath

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Calandrinia andrewskii
• Portulaca paniculata
• Claytonia reflexa
• Portulaca reflexa
• Talinum chrysanthum
• Claytonia patens
• Talinum purpureum
• Talinum spathulatum
• Talinum paniculatum f. variegatum
• Talinum paniculatum var. sarmentosum
• Talinum patens var. sarmentosum
• Talinum reflexum f. sarmentosum
• Ruelingia reflexa
• Talinum patens var. variegatum
• Talinum sarmentosum
• Talinum roseum
• Talinum reflexum

Regional and Traditional Names

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. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is positioned in the order Caryophyllales and falls under the family Talinaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Talinum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several distinct tropical and subtropical regions. Within the Macaronesian islands, it can be found growing in both Cape Verde and Madeira. Its range extends significantly into West-Central Tropical Africa, specifically within the DR Congo. Furthermore, the species is prevalent in East Tropical Africa, where it inhabits Kenya. Finally, its presence is also documented in Uganda, completing its diverse regional spread.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Talinum paniculatum is characterized by a broad adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and a wide altitudinal distribution. It can be found across an elevational range starting from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 2000 m AMSL. This plant thrives in a variety of distinct habitats, demonstrating significant ecological plasticity by colonizing both natural and human-altered landscapes. Its natural distribution encompasses specialized ecosystems such as the Caatinga (strict sensu), Campo de Vázea, Carrasco, and Floresta Estacional Decidual, as well as coastal environments like Restinga. Additionally, it is capable of growing in specialized niches such as vegetation over rocky outcrops (Vegetação Sobre Afloramentos Rochosos) and frequently occupies anthropic areas (Área Antrópica), where human intervention has modified the original landscape.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campo de Várzea, Carrasco, Floresta Estacional Decidual, Restinga, Vegetação Sobre Afloramentos Rochosos

Life history

The life history of Talinum paniculatum is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its ecological life form, the species exhibits plasticity, being categorized as a chamaephyte, where the buds are located close to the soil surface, while it also functions as a therophyte, completing its seasonal cycle through ephemeral growth patterns.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Talinum paniculatum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. It functions as a self-supporting plant, neither requiring climbing structures nor acting as a vine or liana. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit epiphytic or aquatic habits, maintaining an independent life cycle without parasitic tendencies. The plant's stature is relatively modest, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 1 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.825 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.825 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Talinum paniculatatum is characterized by distinct morphological parameters of its foliage and its specific metabolic interactions with the soil environment. The plant exhibits significant variability in its leaf dimensions, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 10 cm, maintaining an overall average length of 7.5 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 2.5 cm and a maximum of 5 cm, resulting in a mean leaf width of 3 cm. These dimensions suggest a flexible photosynthetic surface area that adapts to environmental light availability. Regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrates and ammonium from the soil rather than establishing symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

7.5 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width mean:

3 cm

Leaf width min:

2.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Talinum paniculatum is characterized by a bisexual sexual reproductive system, facilitating the production of offspring through biological processes. The pollination process follows a biotic syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Interestingly, self-fertilization is absent in this species, necessitating cross-pollination. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces fruit in the form of a capsule, which has an average length and width of 0.4 cm. These capsules are prolific, containing a high volume of seeds, often exceeding 1000 seeds per fruit. The individual seeds are relatively small, with a mean length of 1 mm and a mean mass of 0.0002575 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.00018 g to a maximum of 0.00033 g. Regarding the movement of offspring, the species exhibits an unspecialized dispersal syndrome, though it also demonstrates anthropochorous tendencies, where human activity plays a role in the dispersal of its seeds.

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Fruit length mean:

0.4 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width mean:

0.4 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length mean:

1 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00033 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0002575 g

Seed mass min:

0.00018 g

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Talinum paniculatum 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 root.

Root

1. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Chemicals

Talinum paniculatum has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Chikusetsusaponin iva, Flavonoids, N-trans-Feruloyltyramine, Nucleosides, Saponins.

Chikusetsusaponin iva

1. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

N-trans-Feruloyltyramine

1. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Nucleosides

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Saponins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Synephrine

1. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Activities

Talinum paniculatum has 3 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Aphrodisiac, Diuretic, Hypotensive.

Aphrodisiac

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Diuretic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hypotensive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Talinum paniculatum has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include aphrodisiac, heart failure, renovascular hypertension.

Aphrodisiac

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Heart failure

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Renovascular hypertension

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Talinum paniculatum has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include endophytic fungal extracts.

Endophytic fungal extracts

1. PeerJ