Cuban Buttercup

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Cuban Buttercup
• white alder

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Turnera sericea
• Turnera trioniflora
• Turnera elegans
• Turnera mollis
• Turnera ulmifolia var. elegans
• Turnera peruviana

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 and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Malpighiales and the family Passifloraceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Turnera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions of Asia. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Additionally, its presence extends into the Indo-China region, specifically encompassing the Andaman Islands. The species is also documented to thrive within the tropical landscapes of Thailand. Together, these locations highlight the plant's ability to inhabit diverse environments across South and Southeast Asia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Turnera subulata is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and a broad altitudinal distribution. It thrives across a wide elevational range, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 1225 m AMSL. This species demonstrates high ecological plasticity, colonizing a variety of distinct biomes and habitats. It is frequently found in anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) and within diverse natural formations including the Caatinga (strictu sensu), open fields (Campo Limpo), and the Cerrado (latu sensu). Furthermore, its presence extends to more humid and coastal environments, such as Ombrophilous Forests (Floresta Ombrófila/Pluvial) and Restinga ecosystems, indicating its ability to survive in both semi-arid and high-moisture regimes.

Elevational range max:

1225 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campo Limpo, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga

Morphology

The morphology of Turnera subulata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, typically exhibiting a self-supporting habit rather than functioning as a climber, liana, or vine. It is a terrestrial species, lacking any epiphytic or aquatic tendencies, and operates as an independent organism without parasitic requirements. The plant reaches a maximum height of approximately 0.8 m, maintaining a herbaceous structure throughout its development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.8 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Turnera subulata has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of medicinal food
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Turnera subulata has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Fatty acids, Flavonoids, Terpenes, carboxylic acids.

Fatty acids

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoids

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Terpenes

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

carboxylic acids

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Turnera subulata has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant.

Antibacterial

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Antioxidant

1. Journal of medicinal food

Conditions

Turnera subulata has 9 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, chronic pain.

Candida albicans

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Candida tropicalis

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Escherichia coli

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Chronic pain

1. Journal of medicinal food

Hypertension

1. Journal of medicinal food

Invasive candidiasis

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Neurodegenerative diseases

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Oxidative stress

1. Journal of medicinal food

Preparations

Turnera subulata has 5 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Turnera subulata leaf extract, aqueous extract (AET and AES), ethanolic extract (EET and EEs), ethyl acetate fraction (EAFT and EAFS), leaf extract.

Turnera subulata leaf extract

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Aqueous extract (aet and aes)

1. Journal of medicinal food

Ethanolic extract (eet and ees)

1. Journal of medicinal food

Ethyl acetate fraction (eaft and eafs)

1. Journal of medicinal food

Leaf extract

1. Journal of medicinal food