Andrachne (Andrachne telephioides, Sp. Pl.: 1014 (1753))

Family: Phyllanthaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 1014 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Andrachne

Vegetable: False

Observations: Cape Verde, Canary Is. (Fuerteventura), NE. Trop. Africa, Medit. to C. Asia and NW. India

Description

Andrachne, scientifically known as Andrachne telephioides, is a plant species with a rich historical and geographical presence. First documented in 1753, this plant has been observed in diverse regions ranging from Cape Verde and the Canary Islands, specifically Fuerteventura, to Northeast Tropical Africa, across the Mediterranean, to Central Asia, and reaching as far as Northwest India.

Belonging to the family Phyllanthaceae, Andrachne telephioides thrives in a variety of climates and terrains, making it a versatile species of significant botanical interest. It is often characterized by its adaptive nature, enabling it to survive and flourish in both arid and temperate environments within its geographical range.

The plant’s historical documentation dates back to the seminal work of the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, as referenced in his publication “Species Plantarum” in 1753. This early classification has laid the foundation for subsequent botanical studies and observations that continue to highlight the ecological importance and adaptability of Andrachne telephioides.

Overall, the Andrachne telephioides stands out not only for its wide distribution but also for its enduring presence across several continents, signifying its role in various ecosystems and its resilience in the face of diverse environmental conditions.

Common Names

En: Andrachne
Ar: حويمضه (حُويمضه), كماش (كِمّاش)
Bg: Андрахне
Ca: Herba ramblera, Andracne
Fi: Vaharokkio
Fr: Andrachne
He: שלוחית קירחת
It: Andracne, Porcellana nera, Porcellana greca
Kk: Домалақ жапырақты қияш

Synonyms

• Andrachne telephioides var. rotundifolia ((C.A.Mey.) Müll.Arg.)
• Andrachne virescens (Stapf)
• Andrachne virgatenuis (Nevski)
• Andrachne vvedenskyi (Pazij)
• Andrachne telephioides var. brevifolia (Müll.Arg.)
• Andrachne rotundifolia (C.A.Mey.)
• Telephioides procumbens (Moench)
• Eraclissa hexagyna (Forssk.)
• Andrachne nummulariifolia (Stapf)
• Andrachne pojarkoviae (Kovatsch.)
• Andrachne asperula (Nevski)
• Andrachne cretica (Pojark.)
• Andrachne telephioides subsp. oreocretensis (Aldén)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Cape Verde (native)
• Chad (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Greece (native)
• Gulf States (native)
• India (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Oman (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Socotra (native)
• Somalia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Western Sahara (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• France (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.

Bark

Taken Nov 11, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 16, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Nov 11, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 19, 2009 by Pierre-Emmanuel GAY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 16, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2020 by Fra_a (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2021 by Zvonimir Matijević (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Fruit

Taken Nov 11, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 18, 2009 by Pierre-Emmanuel GAY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 12, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 12, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3079631)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:338694-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Andrachne telephioides L.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 9

Atmospheric humidity: 3

Soil nutriments: 6