Gymnospora
| Gymnospora | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Polygalaceae |
| Tribe: | Polygaleae |
| Genus: | (Chodat) J.F.B. Pastore[1] |
| Synonyms[2] | |
|
Polygala sect. Gymnospora | |
Gymnospora is a spined[3] genus of plants in the milkwort family (Polygalaceae) which is endemic to Brazil.[1] It was first described as a subgenus of Polygala by Robert Chodat in 1891.[4] It was separated into its own genera in 2013.[2] Their flowers are 6 to 10 millimetres (0.24 to 0.39 in) long and its pedicels are 2 to 8 millimetres (0.079 to 0.315 in) long.[5]
Terminology
Padina gymnospora, a brown alga species, is also commonly known as Peacock's Tail and Brown Scroll Algae.[6] The name "Peacock's Tail" is most likely derived from the thalli of this alga resembling the tail feathers of a peacock.
Climate
Gymnospora is resistant to cold weather and water shortages,[3] making it a good pioneer species.
Effects on other species
Gymnosporia buxifolia has sharp spines, allowing it to protect animals.[3] It also attracts many types of insects and birds.
Species
As of August 2020, there are 2 accepted species:[1]
- Gymnospora blanchetti (Chodat) J.F.B. Pastore
- Gymnospora violoides (A.St.-Hil. & Moq.) J.F.B. Pastore
Medical usage
Gymnosporia buxifolia is used in various medicines, such as those used to treat pleurisy, diarrhea, and snakebites.[3]
Studies have shown padina gymnospora to have anti-inflammatory effects.[7] To do that, they conducted colorimetric MTT tests on normal fibroblasts, macrophages, human ovarian carcinoma cell lines with a concentration range of 12 – 110 μg/ml to determine cytotoxicity. To determine in-vitro wound-healing, monolayers of fibroblasts were seeded and artificially wounded.
The results were:
- Cell proliferation was blockable with 5 μg/ml mytomycin C
- The cell lines were only cytotoxic at the maximum concentration of 100 μg/ml
References
- ^ a b c Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. "Gymnospora (Chodat) J.F.B.Pastore". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- ^ a b Harvard University; Royal Botanic Gardens Kew; Australian National Herbarium. "Gymnospora (Chodat) J.F.B.Pastore". International Plant Names Index. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Gymnosporia buxifolia | PlantZAfrica". pza.sanbi.org. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
- ^ Royal Botanic Gardens Kew; Harvard University; Australian National Herbarium. "Polygala sect. Gymnospora Chodat". International Plant Names Index. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- ^ Pastore, José Floriano Barêa; de Moraes, Pedro Luís Rodrigues (24 May 2013). "Generic Status and Lectotypifications for Gymnospora (Polygalaceae)". Novon: A Journal for Botanical Nomenclature. 22 (3). Missouri Botanical Garden: 304–306. doi:10.3417/2010113. S2CID 85269764.
- ^ "Funnelweed (Padina gymnospora) – Complete Care Guide". Reeflings. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
- ^ Baliano, Alegna P.; Pimentel, Elisangela F.; Buzin, Aline R.; Vieira, Tainã Z.; Romão, Wanderson; Tose, Lilian V.; Lenz, Dominik; Andrade, Tadeu U. de; Fronza, Marcio; Kondratyuk, Tamara P.; Endringer, Denise C. (2016-11-01). "Brown seaweed Padina gymnospora is a prominent natural wound-care product". Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia. 26 (6): 714–719. doi:10.1016/j.bjp.2016.07.003. ISSN 0102-695X.