Code
STCUR
Growth form
broadleaf
Biological cycle
perennial
Habitat
terrestrial
🗒 Synonyms
| synonym | Cymburus urticifolius Salisb. |
| synonym | Cymburus urticifolius Salisb. |
| synonym | Verbena salisburii Endl. |
| synonym | Verbena salisburii Endl. |
| synonym | Verbena salisburyi Endl. |
| synonym | Zappania urticifolia (Salisb.) Poir. |
| synonym | Zappania urticifolia (Salisb.) Poir. |
| synonym | Zappania urticifolia (Sims) Poir. |
🗒 Common Names
| Comorian |
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| English |
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| French |
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| Other |
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📚 Overview
Description
Global description
Stachytarpheta urticifolia is a branched erect herbaceous plant that measures up to 1.50 meters high. The leaves are opposite, simple, long-stalked with ovate blade, pointed tip, attenuated base extending on the petiole, serrated margin. The dark blue flowers are spread along a thin, elongated flowering spike. The fruit, elongated and pointed, is of a dark color.
Cotyledons
The cotyledons are oval lanceolate with rounded base and apex, supported by a petiole whose length is 2/3 of the blade.
First leaves
The first leaves are simple, opposite, petiolate. The limb is oval to elliptic, acute at the apex and margin with broad triangular teeth pointed at the top. A few small white hairs under the petiole and along the margin. The central rib is well marked. From the second pair of leaves the surface is clearly embossed. The stem may be dark green or dark purple in color, often dotted with small white hairs.
General habit
Erect branched herbaceous plant, 50 cm to 1.50 m high.
Underground system
Taproot system.
Stem
Young branches are almost quadrangular section while the older stems are round, glabrous and full.
Leaf
The leaves are opposite and simple. The petiole, 0.5 to 2 cm long, is winged by the extension of the lamina. The lamina is oval or elliptical, 3 to 8 cm long and 2 to 4.5 cm wide, base attenuated on the petiole, with acute apex, margin cut into pointed triangular tines. Its surface, corrugated on the upper side, is smooth except for a weak pubescence on the ribs and the base of the young leaf, on the underside.
Inflorescence
The inflorescence is a rather slender spike, 15-40 cm long. Floral bracts (4 to 5 mm long and 1.2 to 1.5 mm wide) are oval, narrow, gradually attenuated in a sharp point, with scarious margin.
Flower
The calyx, 6 to 7 mm long, is glabrous, angular (5 to 6 corners), ending in 5 to 6 small tines at the top. The corolla, 8 to 9 mm long, exceeds the calyx. It consists of a long tube ended by 5 rounded spread petals. It is a dark blue purple in color, clearer in the center.
Fruit
The dry fruit is inserted into the groove of the flowering stem. It is elongated oblong, ending in a point. It is 4.5 mm long and 1.3 to 1.4 mm wide. Its color varies from brownish to blackish. It is divided into 2 seeds at mature.
Stachytarpheta urticifolia is a branched erect herbaceous plant that measures up to 1.50 meters high. The leaves are opposite, simple, long-stalked with ovate blade, pointed tip, attenuated base extending on the petiole, serrated margin. The dark blue flowers are spread along a thin, elongated flowering spike. The fruit, elongated and pointed, is of a dark color.
Cotyledons
The cotyledons are oval lanceolate with rounded base and apex, supported by a petiole whose length is 2/3 of the blade.
First leaves
The first leaves are simple, opposite, petiolate. The limb is oval to elliptic, acute at the apex and margin with broad triangular teeth pointed at the top. A few small white hairs under the petiole and along the margin. The central rib is well marked. From the second pair of leaves the surface is clearly embossed. The stem may be dark green or dark purple in color, often dotted with small white hairs.
General habit
Erect branched herbaceous plant, 50 cm to 1.50 m high.
Underground system
Taproot system.
Stem
Young branches are almost quadrangular section while the older stems are round, glabrous and full.
Leaf
The leaves are opposite and simple. The petiole, 0.5 to 2 cm long, is winged by the extension of the lamina. The lamina is oval or elliptical, 3 to 8 cm long and 2 to 4.5 cm wide, base attenuated on the petiole, with acute apex, margin cut into pointed triangular tines. Its surface, corrugated on the upper side, is smooth except for a weak pubescence on the ribs and the base of the young leaf, on the underside.
Inflorescence
The inflorescence is a rather slender spike, 15-40 cm long. Floral bracts (4 to 5 mm long and 1.2 to 1.5 mm wide) are oval, narrow, gradually attenuated in a sharp point, with scarious margin.
Flower
The calyx, 6 to 7 mm long, is glabrous, angular (5 to 6 corners), ending in 5 to 6 small tines at the top. The corolla, 8 to 9 mm long, exceeds the calyx. It consists of a long tube ended by 5 rounded spread petals. It is a dark blue purple in color, clearer in the center.
Fruit
The dry fruit is inserted into the groove of the flowering stem. It is elongated oblong, ending in a point. It is 4.5 mm long and 1.3 to 1.4 mm wide. Its color varies from brownish to blackish. It is divided into 2 seeds at mature.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY_SA |
| References |
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No Data
📚 Nomenclature and Classification
No Data
📚 Natural History
Life Cycle
Life cycle
Annual
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Mayotte : Stachytarpheta urticifolia flowers and fruits all year round.
New Caledonia: Seeds of Stachytarpheta urticifolia germinate throughout the year with good moisture conditions. Seedlings grow rapidly and produce inflorescences at the end of their first rainy season. The plant remains green, with a more pronounced period of growth during the rainy season.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
Reproduction
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Stachytarpheta urticifolia is a perennial species that reproduces by seeds that cling to the fur of animals and agricultural machinery. Seeds accumulate in the ground (several million per hectare).
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY_SA |
| References |
Morphology
Growth form
Erected
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf type
Simple
Type of prefoliation
Leaf ratio medium
Equality of opposite leaves
Opposite leaves equal
Latex
Without latex
Stem section
Square
Root type
Taproot
Hollow or solid stem
Solid stem
Stipule type
No stipule
Leaf attachment type
with petiole
Lamina base
attenuate
Lamina margin
dentate-crenate
Lamina apex
acute
obtuse
Upperface pilosity
Glabrous
Lowerface pilosity
Glabrous
Simple leaf type
Lamina elliptic
Lamina section
embossed
Lamina Veination
in arc
Flower color
Pinkish
Blue
Inflorescence type
Spike
Stem pilosity
Less hairy
Stem hair type
Pubescent
Life form
Broadleaf plant
Look Alikes
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Identification characteristics of Stachytarpheta
| S. mutabilis | S. urticifolia | S. cayennensis | S. jamaicensis | S. indica | |
| Plant size | 1 - 3 m | 0,5 - 1,5 m | 0,5 - 2 m | 0,3 - 1 m | 0,3 - 1 m |
| Leaf hairiness | pubescent scabrous, tomentose | glabrous | scabous | glabrous | glabrous, glabrescent |
| Leaf texture | thick | membranous corrugated dark green |
membrano-fleshy | membrano-fleshy | fleshy |
| Margin crenation | round and short | acute and short | round and short | round and short | round and long |
| Spike hairiness | hairy | glabrous | pubescent | glabrous | glabrous |
| Spike shape | erect | erect | sinuous | erect | erect |
| Spike diameter | 4-7 mm | 2-2,5 mm | 1,5-2 mm | 2,5-3 mm | 4-5 mm |
| Flower colour | red, pink, salmon | bright blue | blue, lilac, whitish | blue pale white | blue pale white |
| Corolla tube | 17-20 mm | 8-9 mm | 5-7 mm | 8-10 mm | 5-11 mm |
| Corolla tube | tube exceeding the calyx | tube exceeding the calyx | tube not exceeding the calyx | tube exceeding the calyx | tube exceeding the calyx |
Stachytarpheta jamaicensis is very close to S. urticifolia (Salisb.) Sims, which is distinguished by its leaves with apex and tines more sharp and face more crisped , flowers are dark blue, the axis of the spike in fruit is small, not exceeding 2.5 mm in diameter and floral bracts are narrow and trinervate.
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| S. jamaicensis | S. urticifolia | |
| Lamina (upper surface) | ribs depressed | corrugated surface, crisped |
| Lamina (apex) | rounded | acute tip |
| Flower (colour) | pale blue | dark blue |
| Axis of the spike in fruit | Thick, diameter> 2,5 mm | slender, diameter< 2,5 mm |
| Floral bracts | large | narrow |
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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Ecology
Stachytarpheta urticifolia is a species of open plots. It prefers heavy clayey soils.
Comoros: Stachytarpheta urticifolia is a ruderal species, observed at low to medium altitude in young cultures of manioc, in banana and ambrevade. It grows on sand clayey soil.
Mayotte : Stachytarpheta urticifolia is an exotic species very common in hygrophilic and mesophilic regions, in crops, pastures, villages and along rivers. It adapts itself to very degraded environments.
New Caledonia: Major weed of pastures and long cycle crops at altitudes below 1200 m. It likes heavy clay soils.
Reunion: A ruderal species of roadside.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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No Data
📚 Habitat and Distribution
General Habitat
Habitat
Terrestrial
Description
Geographical distibution
Reunion Island
Origin
Stachytarpheta urticifolia is native to Brazil.
Worldwide distribution
Species present in Africa, in the islands of the Indian Ocean (Seychelles, Comoros, Madagascar, Reunion, Mauritius), in South-East Asia, in the east of Australia, in New Caledonia and in the Pacific islands.
Stachytarpheta urticifolia is native to Brazil.
Worldwide distribution
Species present in Africa, in the islands of the Indian Ocean (Seychelles, Comoros, Madagascar, Reunion, Mauritius), in South-East Asia, in the east of Australia, in New Caledonia and in the Pacific islands.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY_SA |
| References |
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No Data
📚 Occurrence
No Data
📚 Demography and Conservation
Risk Statement
Global harmfulness
Stachytarpheta urticifolia is a weed of pastures in Australia in Queensland and the Northern Territories. It forms part of the 33 most significant invasive species in the South Pacific islands.
Local harmfulness
Comoros: A weed common in banana and cassava plots. It is sometimes abundant where it is located.
Mayotte: Stachytarpheta urticifolia is a fairly frequent weed, present in 10% of cultivated plots. It is sometimes abundant in ylang plantations and in food crops.
New Caledonia: Stachytarpheta urticifolia was introduced in 1868 as a forage, it is now a major weed of pastures and long-cycle crops at altitudes below 1200 m.
Reunion: Weed rarely present in crops.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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No Data
📚 Uses and Management
Uses
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Medicinal: The flowers of Stachytarpheta urticifolia are used for eye care. The plant also has antidiarrheal and antiulcerogenic properties.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
Management
Global control
A biological control agent against Stachytarpheta urticifolia exists in the USA: a herbivorous snail Marisa sp. which defoliates the plant.
Local control
Comoros: manual weeding.
New Caledonia: The control of Stachytarpheta urticifolia by slashing with rotary cutters is illusory, it leads to branching stems. It must be associated with herbicide sprayed on active regrowth of 3 weeks in rainy season before flowering. 2,4-D proves effective. To avoid seedling from the soil seed bank, we must quickly saw a combination of sorghum and another forage grass after tillage (2 to 3 weeks after treatment). A deferred grazing of several months is also essential to establish sufficient cover limiting germination. A simple exclosure after treatment can reconstruct the pasture, but if significant germination, it will be necessary to perform a directed herbicide treatment.
A biological control agent against Stachytarpheta urticifolia exists in the USA: a herbivorous snail Marisa sp. which defoliates the plant.
Local control
Comoros: manual weeding.
New Caledonia: The control of Stachytarpheta urticifolia by slashing with rotary cutters is illusory, it leads to branching stems. It must be associated with herbicide sprayed on active regrowth of 3 weeks in rainy season before flowering. 2,4-D proves effective. To avoid seedling from the soil seed bank, we must quickly saw a combination of sorghum and another forage grass after tillage (2 to 3 weeks after treatment). A deferred grazing of several months is also essential to establish sufficient cover limiting germination. A simple exclosure after treatment can reconstruct the pasture, but if significant germination, it will be necessary to perform a directed herbicide treatment.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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No Data
📚 Information Listing
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
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Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
References
- Blanfort, V., F. Desmoulins, J. Prosperi, T. Le Bourgeois, R. Guiglion and P. Grard (2010). AdvenPaC V.1.0 : Adventices et plantes à conflit d'intérêt des Pâturages de Nouvelle-Calédonie. Montpellier, France, IAC, Cirad.
- Scott.A.J. 1994. Flore des Mascareignes, Vol. 137 Verbénacées in Bosser J., Cadet TH., Guého J. & Marais W. ed. Flore des Mascareignes, La Réunion, Maurice, Rodrigues. MSIRI, Maurice, IRD, France, RBG, UK.
- -Bromilow C. 2010. Problem plants and alien weeds of South Africa. Pretoria: Briza Publications. P.305.
- Fournet, J. (2002). Flore illustrée des phanérogames de Guadeloupe et de Martinique. Montpellier, France, Cirad, Gondwana éditions.
- https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:864837-1
- Huat, J., Nagy, M., Carpente, A., Schwartz, M., Le Bourgeois, T. & Marnotte, P. 2021. Guide de la flore spontanée des agrosystèmes de Mayotte. Montpellier, Cirad. 150 p.
- Barthelat, F. 2019. La Flore illustrée de Mayotte. Meze, Paris, France, Collection Inventaires et Biodiversité, Biotope – Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle. 687 p.
Information Listing > References
- Blanfort, V., F. Desmoulins, J. Prosperi, T. Le Bourgeois, R. Guiglion and P. Grard (2010). AdvenPaC V.1.0 : Adventices et plantes à conflit d'intérêt des Pâturages de Nouvelle-Calédonie. Montpellier, France, IAC, Cirad.
- Scott.A.J. 1994. Flore des Mascareignes, Vol. 137 Verbénacées in Bosser J., Cadet TH., Guého J. & Marais W. ed. Flore des Mascareignes, La Réunion, Maurice, Rodrigues. MSIRI, Maurice, IRD, France, RBG, UK.
- -Bromilow C. 2010. Problem plants and alien weeds of South Africa. Pretoria: Briza Publications. P.305.
- Fournet, J. (2002). Flore illustrée des phanérogames de Guadeloupe et de Martinique. Montpellier, France, Cirad, Gondwana éditions.
- https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:864837-1
- Huat, J., Nagy, M., Carpente, A., Schwartz, M., Le Bourgeois, T. & Marnotte, P. 2021. Guide de la flore spontanée des agrosystèmes de Mayotte. Montpellier, Cirad. 150 p.
- Barthelat, F. 2019. La Flore illustrée de Mayotte. Meze, Paris, France, Collection Inventaires et Biodiversité, Biotope – Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle. 687 p.
Images
Herbarium pictures ReCOLNAT: https://explore.recolnat.org/search/botanique/simplequery=stachytarpheta%2520urticifolia
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
There is content in another language. Please click here to read it. (Français)
No Data
🐾 Taxonomy
| Root | Root |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Family | Verbenaceae |
| Genus | Stachytarpheta |
| Species | Stachytarpheta urticifolia Sims |
📊 Temporal Distribution
📷 Related Observations
