Oldenlandia corymbosa (flat-top mille graines)
Index
- Identity
- Summary of Invasiveness
- Taxonomic Tree
- Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Description
- Plant Type
- Distribution
- Distribution Table
- Habitat
- Habitat List
- Hosts/Species Affected
- Host Plants and Other Plants Affected
- Growth Stages
- Biology and Ecology
- Climate
- Latitude/Altitude Ranges
- Air Temperature
- Rainfall
- Rainfall Regime
- Soil Tolerances
- Means of Movement and Dispersal
- Pathway Causes
- Pathway Vectors
- Impact Summary
- Economic Impact
- Environmental Impact
- Risk and Impact Factors
- Uses
- Uses List
- Prevention and Control
- References
- Links to Websites
- Contributors
- Distribution Maps
Don't need the entire report?
Generate a print friendly version containing only the sections you need.
Generate reportIdentity
Top of pagePreferred Scientific Name
- Oldenlandia corymbosa L.
Preferred Common Name
- flat-top mille graines
Other Scientific Names
- Gerontogea biflora Cham. & Schltdl.
- Gerontogea corymbosa (L.) Cham. & Schltdl.
- Gerontogea herbacea Cham. & Schltdl.
- Hedyotis burmanniana Wight & Arn.
- Hedyotis corymbosa (L.) Lam.
- Hedyotis depressa (Willd.) Roem. & Schult.
- Hedyotis diantha Schult.
- Hedyotis graminicola Kurz
- Hedyotis intermedia Wight & Arn.
- Hedyotis pseudocorymbosa Bakh.f.
- Hedyotis pusilla Hochst. ex A.Rich.
- Hedyotis ramosa (Roxb.) Blume
- Hedyotis scabrida Steud.
- Hedyotis sperguloides A.Rich.
- Oldenlandia alsinifolia G.Don
- Oldenlandia burmanniana G.Don
- Oldenlandia capillaris DC.
- Oldenlandia depressa Willd.
- Oldenlandia mollugoides O.Schwarz
- Oldenlandia praetermissa Bremek.
- Oldenlandia pseudocorymbosa (Bakh.f.) Raizada
- Oldenlandia ramosa Roxb.
- Oldenlandia scabrida DC.
International Common Names
- English: old world diamond-flower
- French: mille-grainers
- Chinese: san fang hua er cao
Local Common Names
- El Salvador: hierba de corral
- India: daman papra; diamond flower; parpata; parpataka; pitpappar; wild chayroot
- Indonesia: parpatah; parpatakah
- Madagascar: ahibitsiki
- Malaysia: parpatakam; parpatakapullu; pokok telur belangkas; siku dengan; siku-siku
- Philippines: malaulasiman; ulasimanaso
- Thailand: yaa linnguu
Summary of Invasiveness
Top of pageOldenlandia corymbosa is a widespread polymorphic weed with a pantropical distribution. It is fast-growing and can rapidly colonize disturbed areas, open sites, gardens, farmlands, forest edges, grasslands, roadsides and riverbanks. O. corymbosa also produces large volumes of tiny seeds that can be easily dispersed by water, animals and vehicles, or as a contaminant in soil and agricultural produce. Its weedy habit, preference for disturbed sites and tiny seeds all facilitate its spread and colonization of new habitats.
Taxonomic Tree
Top of page- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum: Spermatophyta
- Subphylum: Angiospermae
- Class: Dicotyledonae
- Order: Gentianales
- Family: Rubiaceae
- Genus: Oldenlandia
- Species: Oldenlandia corymbosa
Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
Top of pageThe family Rubiaceae comprises 611 genera and about 13,150 species distributed worldwide, but with most species located in tropical regions. This family is particularly diverse in Madagascar and the Andes (Davis et al., 2009; Stevens, 2017). Oldenlandia and Hedyotis are two of the largest genera within the Rubiaceae and are commonly grouped as the Hedyotis-Oldenlandia complex. This complex contains approximately 500–600 species occurring throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Species within this complex are very similar and share a herbaceous or shrubby habit with relatively small, mostly 4-merous flowers, bilobed stigmas, and dry, two-celled capsular fruits (Sivarajan and Biju, 1990; Neupane et al., 2009; Guo et al., 2013).
Due to the broad geographic distribution, species richness and morphological diversity, the generic delimitation in the Hedyotis–Oldenlandia complex has a long taxonomically confused history. Previous systematic treatments have varied from accepting a very broad-sensed Hedyotis, to partially or completely segregating these two taxa into different numbers of smaller genera (Guo et al., 2013; Wikström et al., 2013; Neupane et al., 2015; Hsu and Chen, 2017).
Description
Top of pageThe following description is from Flora of China Editorial Committee (2018): Slender herb, annual, to 40 cm tall; stems 4-angled to flattened, 2-sulcate, with sides glabrous and angles thickened to winged and puberulent and/or scaberulous or terete to flattened and sparsely to densely scaberulous to puberulent throughout. Leaves subsessile; blade drying membranous, linear, narrowly lanceolate, or narrowly elliptic, 0.8-2 × 0.1-0.5 cm, adaxially sparsely scaberulous to glabrescent, abaxially glabrescent, base cuneate to acute, margins usually at least shortly revolute when dry, apex acute; secondary veins not visible; stipules fused to petiole bases, tubular, 1-2 mm, puberulent to glabrous, rounded to triangular, with 1-5(or 7) linear lobes or bristles 0.2-2.5 mm, these sometimes bifid. Inflorescence axillary, 1-flowered or usually cymose and 2-5-flowered, glabrous, pedunculate; peduncles 1(or 2) per axil, filiform, 1-16 mm; bracts lacking or stipuliform and 1-1.2 mm; pedicels slender, 2-12 mm. Flowers homostylous, pedicellate. Calyx glabrous to puberulent; hypanthium portion subglobose to narrowly ellipsoid, 0.5-0.8 mm; limb lobed essentially to base; lobes narrowly triangular, 0.5-1.2 mm, entire to ciliate. Corolla white or pink, funnelform to rotate; tube 0.8-1 mm, inside pubescent or glabrous; lobes spatulate-oblong to narrowly triangular, 0.5-0.8 mm. Anthers included, ca. 0.6 mm. Stigma 0.3-0.5 mm, included. Fruit capsular, subglobose, ovoid, or oblate, 1.2-2 × 1.2-2.2 mm; seeds 20 or more, dark brown.
Distribution
Top of pageThe native distribution range of O. corymbosa remains uncertain. Previously, this species has been listed as native to the Old World, but recent phylogenetic studies suggest that it is circumscribed to Africa (Terrell and Robinson, 2006; Guo et al., 2013; Neupane et al., 2015). Currently, O. corymbosa is considered native to Africa and introduced elsewhere. In India, it has been listed as both native and introduced (Sivarajan and Biju, 1990; Khuroo et al., 2012; Govaerts, 2018). O. corymbosa can be found naturalized across tropical and subtropical Asia, America, the West Indies, Australia, and on many islands in the Pacific and Indian Ocean (Govaerts, 2018; GRIIS, 2018; PIER, 2018; USDA-ARS, 2018).
Distribution Table
Top of pageThe distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.
Last updated: 26 Jun 2020Habitat
Top of pageOldenlandia corymbosa is very common as a weed in gardens, lawns and roadsides. It can also be found in degraded forests, disturbed sites, riversides, foreshores, lowland forests, coastal thickets, farmlands, and humid grasslands at elevations from sea level to 1500 m. It tolerates waterlogged soil conditions and can be found at damp stream edges, flooded lakeshores and in paddy fields (Terrell and Robinson, 2006; Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2018; India Biodiversity Portal, 2018; PIER, 2018; PROSEA, 2018).
Habitat List
Top of page| Category | Sub-Category | Habitat | Presence | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrestrial | ||||
| Terrestrial – Managed | Cultivated / agricultural land | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) | |
| Cultivated / agricultural land | Present, no further details | Natural | ||
| Cultivated / agricultural land | Present, no further details | Productive/non-natural | ||
| Managed grasslands (grazing systems) | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) | ||
| Managed grasslands (grazing systems) | Present, no further details | Natural | ||
| Managed grasslands (grazing systems) | Present, no further details | Productive/non-natural | ||
| Disturbed areas | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) | ||
| Disturbed areas | Present, no further details | Natural | ||
| Disturbed areas | Present, no further details | Productive/non-natural | ||
| Rail / roadsides | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) | ||
| Rail / roadsides | Present, no further details | Natural | ||
| Rail / roadsides | Present, no further details | Productive/non-natural | ||
| Urban / peri-urban areas | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) | ||
| Urban / peri-urban areas | Present, no further details | Natural | ||
| Urban / peri-urban areas | Present, no further details | Productive/non-natural | ||
| Terrestrial ‑ Natural / Semi-natural | Natural forests | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) | |
| Natural forests | Present, no further details | Natural | ||
| Natural forests | Present, no further details | Productive/non-natural | ||
| Natural grasslands | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) | ||
| Natural grasslands | Present, no further details | Natural | ||
| Natural grasslands | Present, no further details | Productive/non-natural | ||
| Riverbanks | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) | ||
| Riverbanks | Present, no further details | Natural | ||
| Riverbanks | Present, no further details | Productive/non-natural | ||
| Littoral | ||||
| Coastal areas | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) | ||
| Coastal areas | Present, no further details | Productive/non-natural | ||
| Coastal areas | Present, no further details | Productive/non-natural |
Hosts/Species Affected
Top of pageOldenlandia corymbosa often grows as a weed in paddy fields and farmlands. It is particularly common in cassava, pineapple, maize, soybean and rice plantations throughout the tropics (Olorunmaiye and Olorunmaiye, 2008; Habimana et al., 2013; Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2018; PROSEA, 2018). It also competes with turfgrass and is considered a weed of lawn areas in parks and gardens (Shahid and Rao, 2014).
Host Plants and Other Plants Affected
Top of page| Plant name | Family | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Ananas comosus (pineapple) | Bromeliaceae | Main |
| Glycine max (soyabean) | Fabaceae | Main |
| Manihot esculenta (cassava) | Euphorbiaceae | Main |
| Oryza sativa (rice) | Poaceae | Main |
| turfgrasses | Main | |
| Zea mays (maize) | Poaceae | Main |
Growth Stages
Top of page Flowering stage, Fruiting stage, Vegetative growing stageBiology and Ecology
Top of pageGenetics
The chromosome number reported for O. corymbosa is 2n=18, 36, 54 (Terrell and Robinson, 2006).
Reproductive Biology
Oldenlandia is one of the genera of Rubiaceae that has both heterostylous and homostylous species. Many species within the Hedyotis-Oldelandia complex have been described as self-compatible (Terrell and Robinson, 2006; Florentin et al., 2016). Bees and flies have been observed visiting flowers of other Oldenlandia species such as O. salzmannii and O. diffusa (Florentin et al., 2016; PFAF, 2018).
Physiology and Phenology
In tropical climates, O. corymbosa produces flowers and fruits throughout the year (Terrell and Robinson, 2006; Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2018; India Biodiversity Portal, 2018). In Pakistan it has been recorded as flowering from August to October (Flora of Pakistan, 2018).
Longevity
Oldenlandia corymbosa is an annual slender herb, but under favourable environmental conditions it behaves as a short-lived perennial herb (Wagner et al., 1999).
Environmental Requirements
Oldenlandia corymbosa grows as a weed, and can often be found in open and sunny areas with high levels of disturbance. It is adapted to a variety of soil types, ranging from shallow soil in rocky places, to black-cotton soils and bare-sandy soils. It tolerates waterlogged conditions but does not tolerate frost (Fern, 2014; PROSEA, 2018; PROTA, 2018).
Climate
Top of page| Climate | Status | Description | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Af - Tropical rainforest climate | Preferred | > 60mm precipitation per month | |
| Am - Tropical monsoon climate | Preferred | Tropical monsoon climate ( < 60mm precipitation driest month but > (100 - [total annual precipitation(mm}/25])) | |
| As - Tropical savanna climate with dry summer | Preferred | < 60mm precipitation driest month (in summer) and < (100 - [total annual precipitation{mm}/25]) | |
| Aw - Tropical wet and dry savanna climate | Preferred | < 60mm precipitation driest month (in winter) and < (100 - [total annual precipitation{mm}/25]) | |
| BS - Steppe climate | Tolerated | > 430mm and < 860mm annual precipitation | |
| Cs - Warm temperate climate with dry summer | Tolerated | Warm average temp. > 10°C, Cold average temp. > 0°C, dry summers | |
| Cw - Warm temperate climate with dry winter | Tolerated | Warm temperate climate with dry winter (Warm average temp. > 10°C, Cold average temp. > 0°C, dry winters) | |
| Cf - Warm temperate climate, wet all year | Tolerated | Warm average temp. > 10°C, Cold average temp. > 0°C, wet all year |
Latitude/Altitude Ranges
Top of page| Latitude North (°N) | Latitude South (°S) | Altitude Lower (m) | Altitude Upper (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 30 |
Rainfall
Top of page| Parameter | Lower limit | Upper limit | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean annual rainfall | 600 | >2000 | mm; lower/upper limits |
Soil Tolerances
Top of pageSoil drainage
- seasonally waterlogged
Soil reaction
- acid
- neutral
Soil texture
- heavy
- light
- medium
Means of Movement and Dispersal
Top of pageOldenlandia corymbosa spreads mainly by seed, but plants can sometimes root at the nodes. The species produces numerous tiny seeds (~0.25 mm length) that can be easily dispersed by animals, water, vehicles, and in contaminated soil and agricultural produce. Stem and root fragments can be broken off and spread during cultivation or road maintenance, and can also be dispersed in contaminated soil (Wagner et al., 1999; Fern, 2014; Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2018; PIER, 2018; PROSEA, 2018; PROTA, 2018).
Pathway Causes
Top of page| Cause | Notes | Long Distance | Local | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crop production | Weed in paddy fields and farmlands | Yes | Yes | Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2018 |
| Disturbance | Common weed in ruderal sites, roadsides, forest edges | Yes | Yes | Terrell and Robinson, 2006 |
| Escape from confinement or garden escape | Seeds, roots, stem fragments | Yes | Yes | PROSEA, 2018 |
| Garden waste disposal | Weed in gardens and lawns | Yes | Yes | PROSEA, 2018 |
| Medicinal use | Used in traditional Asian medicine | Yes | Yes | Patel et al., 2014 |
Pathway Vectors
Top of page| Vector | Notes | Long Distance | Local | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debris and waste associated with human activities | Seeds, roots, stem fragments | Yes | Yes | PROSEA, 2018 |
| Machinery and equipment | Seeds, roots, stem fragments | Yes | Yes | PROSEA, 2018 |
| Soil, sand and gravel | Seeds, roots, stem fragments | Yes | Yes | PROSEA, 2018 |
| Land vehicles | Seeds, roots, stem fragments | Yes | Yes | PROSEA, 2018 |
| Water | Seeds, roots, stem fragments | Yes | Yes | PROSEA, 2018 |
Impact Summary
Top of page| Category | Impact |
|---|---|
| Economic/livelihood | Negative |
| Environment (generally) | Positive and negative |
| Human health | Positive |
Economic Impact
Top of pageOldenlandia corymbosa is a weed in cassava, pineapple, maize, soybean and rice plantations (Olorunmaiye and Olorunmaiye, 2008; Habimana et al., 2013; Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2018; PROSEA, 2018) and also in lawn areas in parks and gardens (Shahid and Rao, 2014).
Environmental Impact
Top of pageOldenlandia corymbosa is a cosmopolitan weed that often invades forest edges, disturbed areas, riversides, foreshores, lowland forests, coastal thickets and grasslands. Under suitable environmental conditions, it can rapidly dominate an ecosystem, with the potential to displace and outcompete native plants at early successional stages in disturbed areas. It has also been listed as a common weed in Biscayne National Park in Florida, USA (Wagner et al., 1999; Khuroo et al., 2012; GRIIS, 2018; National Park Service, 2018; PIER, 2018; PROTA, 2018).
Risk and Impact Factors
Top of page Invasiveness- Proved invasive outside its native range
- Abundant in its native range
- Highly adaptable to different environments
- Is a habitat generalist
- Tolerates, or benefits from, cultivation, browsing pressure, mutilation, fire etc
- Pioneering in disturbed areas
- Highly mobile locally
- Benefits from human association (i.e. it is a human commensal)
- Long lived
- Fast growing
- Gregarious
- Damaged ecosystem services
- Ecosystem change/ habitat alteration
- Modification of successional patterns
- Negatively impacts agriculture
- Reduced native biodiversity
- Competition - monopolizing resources
- Competition - smothering
- Rapid growth
- Rooting
- Highly likely to be transported internationally accidentally
- Difficult to identify/detect as a commodity contaminant
- Difficult to identify/detect in the field
Uses
Top of pageOldenlandia corymbosa is a common medicinal herb across tropical Asia. In Indo-China, it is also used as antirheumatic. In India, the plant is a common ingredient in mixtures used to treat fever and as a tonic. It is also used to treat jaundice. The roots are reported to have vermifuge properties (PROSEA, 2018). In Chinese folk medicine, the plant is used to treat skin sores, ulcers, sore throat, bronchitis, gynecological infections and pelvic inflammatory diseases. The plant contains flavonols, phenolic acids, anthocyanidins, irridoids and alkaloids. In India, it is used to produce natural dyes (Patel et al., 2014; PROTA, 2018).
Prevention and Control
Top of pageDue to the variable regulations around (de)registration of pesticides, your national list of registered pesticides or relevant authority should be consulted to determine which products are legally allowed for use in your country when considering chemical control. Pesticides should always be used in a lawful manner, consistent with the product's label.
Herbicides such as pendimethalin, metribuzin and imazethapyr have been used to control O. corymbosa and other agricultural weeds in plantations and paddy fields (Olorunmaiye and Olorunmaiye, 2008; Habimana et al., 2013).
References
Top of pageDavis AP, Govaerts R, Bridson DM, Ruhsam M, Moat J, Brummitt NA, 2009. A global assessment of distribution, diversity, endemism, and taxonomic effort in the Rubiaceae. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, 96(1), 68-78.
Fern K, 2014. Useful Tropical Plants Database. http://tropical.theferns.info/
Govaerts, R, 2018. World Checklist of Rubiaceae. Richmond, UK: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
GRIIS, 2018. Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species. http://www.griis.org/
Hsu, TC , Chen, ZH, 2017. Scleromitrion sirayanum (Rubiaceae: Spermacoceae), a new species of the Hedyotis-Oldenlandia complex in Taiwan. Taiwania, 62(2), 151-6.
Lee HJ, Lee YM, Kim, JH, Cho, YH, 2009. New record of Hedyotis corymbosa, a naturalized species in Korea. Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy, 39(4), 304-8.
Lorence, DH, Flynn, T, 2010. Checklist of the plants of Kosrae. Unpublished checklist. Lawai, Hawaii, National Tropical Botanical Garden.26.
McCormack, G, 2013. Cook Islands Biodiversity Database, Version 2007.2. Rarotonga, Cook Islands: Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust.http://cookislands.bishopmuseum.org/search.asp
National Park Service, 2018. List of exotic and invasive plants occurring in the Biscayne National Park, Florida. https://www.nps.gov/bisc/learn/nature/invasive-plants.htm
Neupane S, Dessein S, Wikström N, Lewis PO, Long C, Bremer B, Motley TJ, 2015. The Hedyotis-Oldenlandia complex (Rubiaceae: Spermacoceae) in Asia and the Pacific: Phylogeny revisited with new generic delimitations. Taxon, 64(2), 299-322.
Oliveira, JA, Souza, EB, 2015. Oldenlandia in Lista de Espécies da Flora do Brasil. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro.http://floradobrasil.jbrj.gov.br/jabot/floradobrasil/FB14127
Olorunmaiye PM, Olorunmaiye KS, 2008. Weed flora of a maize/cassava intercrop under integrated weed management in an ecological zone of southern Guinea savanna of Nigeria. Ethnobotanical Leaflets, 1(108)
Patel TD, Jain V, Dodia R, 2014. Oldenlandia corymbosa L: a phytopharmacological review. International Journal of Phytopharmacy, 4, 79-82.
PROSEA, 2018. Plant Resources of South-East Asia. https://uses.plantnet-project.org/en/Oldenlandia_corymbosa_(PROSEA)
Sivarajan VV, Biju SD, 1990. Taxonomic and nomenclatural notes on the Hedyotis corymbosa-diffusa complex (Rubiaceae) in India. Taxon, 39, 665-674.
Terrell, EE, Robinson, H, 2006. Taxonomy of North American species of Oldenlandia (Rubiaceae). SIDA, Contributions to Botany, 11, 305-29.
Distribution References
Govaerts R, 2018. World Checklist of Rubiaceae., Richmond, UK: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
GRIIS, 2018. Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species., http://www.griis.org/
Hsu TC , Chen ZH, 2017. Scleromitrion sirayanum (Rubiaceae: Spermacoceae), a new species of the Hedyotis-Oldenlandia complex in Taiwan. Taiwania. 62 (2), 151-6.
Lee HJ, Lee YM, Kim JH, Cho YH, 2009. New record of Hedyotis corymbosa, a naturalized species in Korea. Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy. 39 (4), 304-8.
Lorence DH, Flynn T, 2010. Checklist of the plants of Kosrae. Unpublished checklist., Lawai, Hawaii, National Tropical Botanical Garden. 26.
McCormack G, 2013. Cook Islands Biodiversity Database, Version 2007.2., Rarotonga, Cook Islands: Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust. http://cookislands.bishopmuseum.org/search.asp
Oliveira JA, Souza EB, 2015. Oldenlandia in Lista de Espécies da Flora do Brasil. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro. http://floradobrasil.jbrj.gov.br/jabot/floradobrasil/FB14127
Terrell EE, Robinson H, 2006. Taxonomy of North American species of Oldenlandia (Rubiaceae). SIDA, Contributions to Botany. 305-29.
Links to Websites
Top of page| Website | URL | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| GISD/IASPMR: Invasive Alien Species Pathway Management Resource and DAISIE European Invasive Alien Species Gateway | https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.m93f6 | Data source for updated system data added to species habitat list. |
Contributors
Top of page11/04/18 Original text by:
Julissa Rojas-Sandoval, Department of Botany-Smithsonian NMNH, Washington DC, USA
Distribution Maps
Top of pageUnsupported Web Browser:
One or more of the features that are needed to show you the maps functionality are not available in the web browser that you are using.
Please consider upgrading your browser to the latest version or installing a new browser.
More information about modern web browsers can be found at http://browsehappy.com/
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
Please click OK to ACCEPT or Cancel to REJECT