Family: Sphenocleaceae
Author: Gaertn.
Bibliography: Fruct. Sem. Pl. 1: 113, pl. 24, f. 5. 1788
Year: 1788
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Sphenoclea
Vegetable: False
Observations: Africa, Trop. & Subtrop. Asia to N. Australia
Description
Chickenspike, scientifically known as Sphenoclea zeylanica, is an intriguing plant that belongs to the Sphenocleaceae family. Described in 1788 by the renowned botanist Gaertn., this plant has garnered attention for its unique characteristics and widespread presence across various regions.
Chickenspike thrives in diverse climates, notably in Africa and parts of tropical and subtropical Asia, extending its reach even to northern Australia. This geographical distribution highlights the plant’s adaptability and resilience in varying environmental conditions.
This plant is recognized for its distinctive inflorescences, which contribute to its common name. The striking appearance of its flowering spikes sets it apart from other flora within its habitat, making it a subject of interest for botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.
The study of Sphenoclea zeylanica has been well-documented, with its features and classification detailed in sources like “Fruct. Sem. Pl. 1: 113, pl. 24, f. 5”. This thorough documentation ensures that researchers and the public have access to valuable information about this species, promoting better understanding and appreciation.
Overall, Chickenspike is a notable example of plant diversity, demonstrating interesting botanical traits and a wide-ranging habitat that spans continents. It continues to be a plant of interest for scientific study and nature observation due to its unique characteristics and ecological adaptability.
Common Names
Eng: chickenspike, gooseweed
En: Chickenspike, Gooseweed, Sphenoclea, Gonda, Chicken-spike, Wedgewort
Zh: 尖瓣花
Pt: Majuba
Sg: Yorö-börö
Es: Sfenoclea
Zh-tw: 尖瓣花
Th: ผักปอด
Synonyms
- Schrebera pongati (DC.)
- Pongatium zeylanicum (Kuntze)
- Rapinia herbacea (Lour.)
- Pongatium indicum (Lam.)
- Sphenoclea pongatium (A.DC.)
- Pongatium spongiosum (Blanco)
Distribution
- Afghanistan (native)
- Andaman Is. (native)
- Assam (native)
- Bangladesh (native)
- Benin (native)
- Botswana (native)
- Burkina (native)
- Burundi (native)
- Cambodia (native)
- Cameroon (native)
- Central African Repu (native)
- Chad (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Congo (native)
- Egypt (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- Gabon (native)
- Gambia (native)
- Ghana (native)
- Guinea (native)
- Guinea-Bissau (native)
- Hainan (native)
- India (native)
- Iran (native)
- Iraq (native)
- Ivory Coast (native)
- Jawa (native)
- KwaZulu-Natal (native)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
- Madagascar (native)
- Malawi (native)
- Malaya (native)
- Mali (native)
- Mauritania (native)
- Mozambique (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Namibia (native)
- Nepal (native)
- Niger (native)
- Nigeria (native)
- Northern Provinces (native)
- Northern Territory (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Philippines (native)
- Rwanda (native)
- Senegal (native)
- Sierra Leone (native)
- Solomon Is. (native)
- Somalia (native)
- Sri Lanka (native)
- Sudan (native)
- Sulawesi (native)
- Swaziland (native)
- Tadzhikistan (native)
- Taiwan (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Togo (native)
- Uganda (native)
- Uzbekistan (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- Zambia (native)
- Zaïre (native)
- Zimbabwe (native)
- Alabama (introduced)
- Argentina Northeast (introduced)
- Argentina Northwest (introduced)
- Arkansas (introduced)
- Belize (introduced)
- Bolivia (introduced)
- Brazil North (introduced)
- Brazil Northeast (introduced)
- Brazil Southeast (introduced)
- Brazil West-Central (introduced)
- Colombia (introduced)
- Costa Rica (introduced)
- Cuba (introduced)
- Dominican Republic (introduced)
- Ecuador (introduced)
- Florida (introduced)
- Georgia (introduced)
- Guatemala (introduced)
- Haiti (introduced)
- Honduras (introduced)
- Japan (introduced)
- Louisiana (introduced)
- Mexico Southwest (introduced)
- Mississippi (introduced)
- Missouri (introduced)
- Nicaragua (introduced)
- North Carolina (introduced)
- Oklahoma (introduced)
- Paraguay (introduced)
- Puerto Rico (introduced)
- South Carolina (introduced)
- Texas (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
- Venezuela (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Leaf
Taken Oct 6, 2022 by Goulidan Finch (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 17, 2022 by Tharunoju Laxman kumar (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 17, 2022 by Tharunoju Laxman kumar (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jul 20, 2015 by EOL − anewman (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Marco Schmidt (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Marco Schmidt (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Marco Schmidt (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Marco Schmidt (cc-by-nc-sa)
Flower
Taken Jul 17, 2022 by Tharunoju Laxman kumar (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 3, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Bart Wursten (cc-by-nc)
Fruit
Taken Jan 3, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 3, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 3, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Bart Wursten (cc-by-nc)
Bark
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Marco Schmidt (cc-by-nc-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3158672)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:145463-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Sphenoclea zeylanica Gaertn.)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Forb/herb