Vernonanthura patens

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cacalia aschenborniana
• Vernonia albifila
• Baccharis rugosa
• Cacalia mattogrossensis
• Cacalia baccharoides
• Cacalia haenkeana
• Cacalia lanceolaris
• Cacalia micradenia
• Vernonia haenkeana
• Vernonia lanceolaris
• Vernonia mattogrossensis
• Vernonia micradenia
• Vernonia monsonensis
• Vernonia pacchensis
• Vernonia pacchensis var. tambillensis
• Vernonia patens
• Vernonia salamana
• Vernonia aschenborniana
• Vernonia baccharoides
• Vernonia bangii
• Vernonia stuebelii
• Vernonia vargasii
• Vernonia viarum
• Vernonia weberbaueri
• Vernonia yurimaguasensis
• Vernonanthura yurimaguasensis

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 the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales. Finally, it is a member of the family Asteraceae and is specifically identified by the genus Vernonanthura.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to several distinct regions throughout the country of Mexico. Its geographical range encompasses the diverse landscapes of Mexico Central and the rugged terrain of Mexico Northeast. Additionally, the species can be found extending across the coastal areas of Mexico Gulf. The distribution continues further west into the territories of Mexico Northwest. Finally, its presence is also documented within the regions of Mexico Southwest.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Vernonanthura patens is characterized by its presence in Floresta de Terra Firme habitats, where it thrives within stable terrestrial forest ecosystems. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum elevation of 2100 m AMSL. This significant vertical range allows the plant to adapt to diverse environmental gradients and varying climatic conditions across different topographical layers.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Terra Firme

Life history

The life history of Vernonanthura patens is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it avoids the complete die-back seen in annuals, instead establishing a stable presence that can withstand seasonal fluctuations. Its developmental trajectory involves the establishment of a robust root system and vegetative structure that supports continuous or episodic growth cycles. This long-term survival strategy enables the plant to accumulate resources over time, facilitating repeated reproductive efforts and ensuring its long-term occupancy within its ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Vernonanthura patens is characterized by a woody, shrub growth form that functions as a self-supporting structure. As a terrestrial plant, it does not exhibit epiphytic or aquatic tendencies, nor does it act as a parasite, maintaining an independent biological existence. The plant reaches significant dimensions, with an average height of approximately 2.75 m, though it is capable of growing to a maximum height of up to 7 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

7 m

Plant height mean:

2.75 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Vernonanthura patens is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a carbon fixation process typical of many temperate and tropical woody species. The plant exhibits a highly consistent structural profile, with a stem specific density (SSD) maintained at a constant value of 410 mg/cm³ across its minimum, mean, and maximum measurements. Its leaf morphology and resource investment are defined by a Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 156.6 cm²/g and a Leaf Dry Matter Content (LDMC) of 325.8 mg/g, values which remain uniform across the observed range. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying on other mechanisms for nutrient acquisition within its ecosystem.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

325.8 mg/g

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

156.6 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) min:

410 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Vernonanthura patens is characterized by the production of highly specialized seeds designed for efficient distribution. The seeds are remarkably uniform in their physical dimensions, maintaining a consistent seed length of exactly 1 mm, with no recorded variation between the minimum and maximum measurements. In terms of weight, the seeds are extremely lightweight, possessing a constant seed mass of 0.0001 g (1e-04 g), which reflects a lack of variance in mass across the population. This minimal mass and specific morphology facilitate an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning the seeds are primarily dispersed by wind currents, allowing them to travel through the air to colonize new habitats.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Seed length mean:

1 mm

Seed mass mean:

1e-04 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Vernonanthura patens has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoid.

Flavonoid

1. Natural product research

Conditions

Vernonanthura patens has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include wounds.

Wounds

1. Natural product research