Mitnan

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Mitnan
• Shaggy Sparrow-wort

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Passerina polygalifolia
• Passerina hirsuta
• Piptochlamys hirsuta
• Passerina telonensis
• Thymelaea hirsuta var. angustifolia
• Thymelaea hirsuta var. polygalifolia
• Thymelaea hirsuta var. rotundifolia
• Thymelaea hirsuta var. vulgaris
• Passerina hirsuta var. linearis
• Thymelaea hirsuta var. microphylla
• Passerina hirsuta proles polygalifolia
• Giardia hirsuta
• Stellera hirsuta
• Lachnaea hirsuta
• Chlamydanthus hirsutus
• Thymelaea hirsuta f. glauca
• Passerina hirsuta var. vestita
• Sanamunda tomentosa
• Tartonia ovatifolia
• Passerina metnan

Regional and Traditional Names

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 Malvales, it is classified under the family Thymelaeaceae and the genus Thymelaea. Therefore, its scientific name is Thymelaea hirsuta.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed throughout specific regions of Southwestern Europe. It can be found growing in the Balearic Islands, which are part of the Baleares archipelago. Its presence is also noted in Corsica and the island of Sardegna. Furthermore, the species is documented across various locations in France. Finally, its range extends to the coastal and inland areas of Portugal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Thymelaea hirsuta is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habits and ecological positioning, the plant exhibits characteristics consistent with both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms, depending on the environmental conditions and the specific development of its woody structures.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Thymelaea hirsuta is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically presenting as a self-supporting shrub. This plant functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, as it maintains a primarily terrestrial existence. Unlike climbing species such as lianas or vines, it does not require external support, instead utilizing its sturdy, woody structure to maintain its upright habit within its habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Thymelaea hirsuta is characterized by a metabolic framework governed by the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and water-use efficiency. Under this C3 mechanism, the plant utilizes the enzyme Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) to facilitate the initial fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide into three-carbon organic compounds within the mesophyll cells. This metabolic route implies that the plant's physiological performance is highly sensitive to ambient temperature and light intensity, as the inherent tendency of RuBisCO to engage in photorespiration can impact overall photosynthetic efficiency under high-heat or water-stressed conditions. Consequently, its physiological adaptations are centered around managing gas exchange and transpiration rates to balance the requirements of carbon assimilation with the necessity of maintaining cellular hydration within its specific ecological niche.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Thymelaea hirsuta 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. Viruses

Chemicals

Thymelaea hirsuta has 19 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include API, Betulin, CHLOROGENIC ACID, Daphnoretin methyl ether, Esculetin.

API

1. Annales pharmaceutiques francaises

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Annales pharmaceutiques francaises

Daphnoretin methyl ether

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Esculetin

1. Annales pharmaceutiques francaises

Feruloylquinic acid

1. Annales pharmaceutiques francaises

Genkwanin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Isochamaejasmine

1. Annales pharmaceutiques francaises

Rutarensin

1. Annales pharmaceutiques francaises

Tannin

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Activities

Thymelaea hirsuta has 16 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Cytotoxic, AntiHIV, Antiarthritic, Anticarcinomic.

Anticancer

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
2. BioMed research international

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antiarthritic

1. Pharmacognosy research

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antidiabetic

1. Human & experimental toxicology

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiflu

1. Dr. Duke

Antifungal

1. BioMed research international

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Thymelaea hirsuta has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancers, diabetic nephropathy, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, postprandial hyperglycemia.

Cancers

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Diabetic nephropathy

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

1. Human & experimental toxicology

Postprandial hyperglycemia

1. Journal of diabetes

Preparations

Thymelaea hirsuta has 10 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include water extract (WE), Ethyl acetate extracts from branches, Ethyl acetate extracts from leaves, aqueous extracts, decoction.

Water extract (we)

1. Die Pharmazie
2. Human & experimental toxicology

Ethyl acetate extracts from branches

1. Viruses

Ethyl acetate extracts from leaves

1. Viruses

Aqueous extracts

1. Pharmacognosy research

Decoction

1. Pharmacognosy research

Dry powdered

1. Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology

Essential oil

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Ethanolic extracts

1. Planta medica

Ethyl acetate (etoac) fraction

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Methanolic (meoh) extract

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)