🗒 Synonyms
| synonym | Borreria ferruginea M.Martens & Galeotti [Illegitimate] |
| synonym | Borreria ferruginea M.Martens & Galeotti, nom. illeg. |
| synonym | Borreria remotifolia DC. |
| synonym | Diodia villosa Moc. & Sessé ex DC. |
| synonym | Mitracarpus diffusus (Willd. ex Roem. & Schult.) DC. |
| synonym | Mitracarpus diffusus (Willd.) DC. |
| synonym | Mitracarpus hirtus var. remotiflorus K.Schum. |
| synonym | Mitracarpus pallidus Hook. & Arn. |
| synonym | Mitracarpus pilosus A.Rich. [Spelling variant] |
| synonym | Mitracarpus pilosus A.Rich., orth. var. |
| synonym | Mitracarpus scaber Zucc. |
| synonym | Mitracarpus scaber Zucc. ex Schult. & Schult.f. |
| synonym | Mitracarpus schizangius var. angustifolius Oerst. |
| synonym | Mitracarpus senegalensis DC. |
| synonym | Mitracarpus simplex Rusby |
| synonym | Mitracarpus stylosus (Link) DC. |
| synonym | Mitracarpus torresianus Cham. & Schltdl. |
| synonym | Mitracarpus verticillatus (Schumach. & Thonn.) Vatke |
| synonym | Mitracarpus villosus (Sw.) DC. |
| synonym | Mitracarpus villosus var. glabrior Oerst. |
| synonym | Spermacoce affinis Pohl ex DC. [Invalid] |
| synonym | Spermacoce affinis Pohl ex DC., pro syn. |
| synonym | Spermacoce cephalotes Willd. |
| synonym | Spermacoce cephalotes Willd. ex Roem. & Schult. |
| synonym | Spermacoce crassifolia DC., pro syn. |
| synonym | Spermacoce declinata Pav. ex DC. |
| synonym | Spermacoce diffusa Kunth, nom. illeg. |
| synonym | Spermacoce diffusa Willd. |
| synonym | Spermacoce diffusa Willd. ex Roem. & Schult. |
| synonym | Spermacoce gracilis Pohl ex DC. [Invalid] |
| synonym | Spermacoce gracilis Pohl ex DC., pro syn. |
| synonym | Spermacoce hirta L. |
| synonym | Spermacoce stylosa Link |
| synonym | Spermacoce villosa Sw. |
| synonym | Staurospermum verticillatum Schumach. & Thonn. |
🗒 Common Names
| Malagasy |
|
📚 Overview
Description
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Global description
Mitracarpus hirtus is an erect plant. The leaves are opposite and decussate, elliptical and slightly stalked, with a serrated stipular collar. The flowers are white, sessile, grouped in axillary glomerules. They have a persistent calyx, fused to the ovary and surmounted by 4 lobes of which 2 are reduced and 2 are developed, 4 petals welded into a tube topped by four lobes. The fruit is a dehiscent capsule, containing 2 finely tubercular oblong seeds.
Cotyledons
The cotyledons are elliptical, slightly notched at the top. They measure 7 mm long and 4 mm wide. They are carried by a very short petiole. The central rib is visible. The bases of the petioles are expanded and re-join together, forming a thin stipular collar.
First leaves
The first leaves are opposite. The blade is elliptical, 2 to 3 cm long and 6 to 10 mm wide. The base of the blade is attenuated in a short petiole. The bases of the petioles are joined, forming a stipular collar with slender tines. The stem is quadrangular. It is finely pubescent and the leaves are glabrous.
General habit
The plant has an erect growth habit. The plant is highly branched and measure up to 60 cm high.
Underground system
The plant has a taproot system.
Stem
The stem is quadrangular and covered with fine hairs. It is full and sometimes sub-woody at the base.
Leaf
The leaves are opposite and decussate. The lamina is elliptic lanceolate, 3 to 6 cm long and 7 to 20 mm wide. The apex is wide angled. The base is attenuated in a wrong individualized petiole, 5 to 15 mm long, the base of which extends in a stipular collar with many slender tines, 2 to 3 mm long. The upper side is smooth. The underside is smooth but the ribs are scabrous. The margin is entire and strongly scabrous.
Inflorescence
The flowers are assembled in axillary glomerules, underpinned by stipular collar and a pair of sessile leaves.
Flower
Each glomerulus includes many small white sessile flowers, 2.5 mm long. The calyx is formed of 4 unequal sepals, fused at the top of the ovary. Two sepals are reduced and linear, the other two are lanceolate and 2 mm long. All are pubescent. The corolla is barely longer than the calyx. It consists of 4 petals fused in tube, ending in 4 short lobes. The 4 stamens are as long as the corolla. The ovary is inferior and consists of 2 loculus. It is topped with a bifurcated style.
Fruit
The fruit is a dehiscent capsule, globular in shape, and with 2 cells. It is 2 mm long and surmounted by parts of the calyx. The line of dehiscence is located at the equator of the capsule. The capsule contains a seed in each loculus.
Seed
The seeds are elongate, forming a cross with branches bent towards the center. They are 1 mm long and 0.5 mm wide. The seed coat is light brown and finely tuberculous.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
No Data
📚 Nomenclature and Classification
No Data
📚 Natural History
Life Cycle
Life cycle
Annual
Northern Cameroon: Mitracarpus hirtus is a species present throughout the crop cycle but becomes more frequent and more abundant at the end of the crop cycle. Indeed, at that period, M. hirtus becomes a general potential weed, present in over 60% of parcels and often abundantly. Germination takes place from the first rains of May until October. Early in the season, germination is scarce. However, they become abundant in August or September. The first flowers may appear in the month of July, but the full flowering occurs rather from August to late October. Fruiting occurs at the end of cycle from September and ends in early dry season in early December, with the drying of the plant.
Madagascar: Mitracarpus hirtus has a large production of seeds with a staggered germination during the first weeks of the crop cycle. This allows the species to adapt in different cropping systems of almost all climatic areas of Madagascar. It can flower throughout the crop cycle if the soil is moist enough. It mainly grows at the end of the rainy season.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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Morphology
Growth form
Erected
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf type
Simple
Type of prefoliation
Leaf ratio medium
Narrow leaf
Equality of opposite leaves
Opposite leaves equal
Latex
Without latex
Stem section
Square
Root type
Taproot
Hollow or solid stem
Solid stem
Stipule type
Collar stipule
Leaf attachment type
sessile
with petiole
Fruit type
Capsule
Cotyledon type
elliptic
emarginate
Lamina base
attenuate
Lamina margin
scabrous
entire
Lamina apex
acute
Upperface pilosity
Glabrous
Lowerface pilosity
Less hairy
Lowerface hair type
Scabrous
Simple leaf type
Lamina elliptic
Lamina section
flat
Lamina Veination
in arc
Flower color
White
Inflorescence type
Glomerulate
Stem pilosity
Less hairy
Stem hair type
Pubescent
Life form
Broadleaf plant
Look Alikes
Identification Key For Rubiaceae
| Broad leaf, elliptical or oblong | quadrangular winged rod | Spermacoce alata | |
| rounded quadrangular rod | little hairy green stem | Mitracarpus hirtus | |
| red-brown stem hairy | Richardia scabra | ||
| linear leaf | opposing sheets 2 | inflorescence corymbose | Oldenlandia corymbosa |
| appearing whorled leaves | inflorescence glomerulus | Spermacoce verticillata | |
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
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Ecology
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Northern Cameroon: Mitracarpus hirtus develops the Sudano-Sahelian zone to the Sudanese region. This species is characteristic of light sandy soil with superficial sandy surface such as the ferruginous soils, ferruginous soils of dunes and little developed soils, from the recent deterioration of the rocks. This is a common species on degraded soils with low fertility.
Madagascar: Mitracarpus hirtus grows on different soil types, be they are poor, degraded or rich enough: ferruginous soils, lateritic soils, alluvial soils. This species grows on roadsides and cultures. It is a weed of rainfed crops and pasture in almost all agro-ecological zones of Madagascar.
Mauritius: Still a rare species but observed on several locations in 2016 in the Centre Flacq region and more recently (2023) in the Curepipe region.
Réunion: M. hirtus was observed for the first time on Reunion Island in September 2023 in the Saint Pierre region, at Bassin Plat in a mango plot.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
No Data
📚 Habitat and Distribution
General Habitat
Habitat
Terrestrial
Description
Worldwide distribution
This species is widespread in all tropical regions of the world (Central and South America, Southern USA, tropical Africa, Madagascar, India, Bangladesh, China, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Tropical Australia and the Pacific Islands).
Geographical distibution
Madagascar
Mauritius
Origin
Mitracarpus hirtus is native to Triopical America and the Caribbean.
Worldwide distribution
This species is widespread in all tropical regions of the world (Central and South America, Southern USA, tropical Africa, Madagascar, India, Bangladesh, China, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Tropical Australia and the Pacific Islands).
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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No Data
📚 Occurrence
No Data
📚 Demography and Conservation
Risk Statement
Northern Cameroon: Mitracarpus hirtus is a regional weed, present in nearly 50% of cultivated land. It is more abundant in the Sudano-Sahelian regions and Sudano-Sahelian region in Sudan. In this region, herbicides are used frequently and this limits its development, although it is slightly more common than in other regions. This is a characteristic species of the floristic procession of Commelina benghalensis. It is found mainly in cultivated plots, planted continuously for over 10 years. It grows both in intensive cultivation as in traditional culture, where it is often more abundant.
Madagascar: Mitracarpus hirtus is weed recently introduced in Madagascar; it is now common and abundant and can be very harmful. It quickly became dominant in virtually all rainfed systems. It is particularly harmful in cropping systems of corn, upland rice and cassava in the Middle West, the highlands and the eastern side of Madagascar.
Local harmfulness
Northern Cameroon: Mitracarpus hirtus is a regional weed, present in nearly 50% of cultivated land. It is more abundant in the Sudano-Sahelian regions and Sudano-Sahelian region in Sudan. In this region, herbicides are used frequently and this limits its development, although it is slightly more common than in other regions. This is a characteristic species of the floristic procession of Commelina benghalensis. It is found mainly in cultivated plots, planted continuously for over 10 years. It grows both in intensive cultivation as in traditional culture, where it is often more abundant.
Madagascar: Mitracarpus hirtus is weed recently introduced in Madagascar; it is now common and abundant and can be very harmful. It quickly became dominant in virtually all rainfed systems. It is particularly harmful in cropping systems of corn, upland rice and cassava in the Middle West, the highlands and the eastern side of Madagascar.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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No Data
📚 Uses and Management
Management
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Local control
Madagascar: Manual control of Mitracarpus hirtus is time consuming. Its chemical control is carried out as pre-emergence (atrazine, diuron or oxadiazon), or post-emergence (2,4-D and / or glyphosate), including on the old plants. Its control is so much easier than for Borreria alata, especially since M. hirtus is relatively well controlled plant cover. It is therefore very important not to confuse these two species.Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
No Data
📚 Information Listing
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
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)
References
- Husson, O., H. Charpentier, F.-X. Chabaud, K. Naudin, Rakotondramanana et L. Séguy (2010). Flore des jachères et adventices des cultures. Annexe 1 : les principales plantes de jachères et adventices des cultures à Madagascar. In : Manuel pratique du semis direct à Madagascar. Annexe 1 - Antananarivo : GSDM/CIRAD, 2010 : 64 p.
- Hutchinson J., Dalziel J. M., Keay R. W. J. & Hepper F. N., 1963. Flora of West Tropical Africa. Vol. II. 2ème éd. The Whitefriars Press ed., London & Tonbridge, 544p.
- Ivens G. W., Moody K. & Egunjobi J. K., 1978. West African Weeds. Oxford University Press, Ibadan, Nigeria, 255p.
- Merlier H. & Montégut J., 1982. Adventices tropicales. ORSTOM-GERDAT-ENSH éd., Montpellier, France, 490p.
- Le Bourgeois, T. and H. Merlier (1995). Adventrop - Les adventices d'Afrique soudano-sahélienne. Montpellier, France, Cirad. 640 pp.
- Grard, P., T. Le Bourgeois and H. Merlier (2010). Adventrop V.1.5 Les adventices d'Afrique soudano-sahélienne. Montpellier, France, Cirad.
- Berhaut J., 1967. Flore du Sénégal. 2ème éd. Clairafrique éd., Dakar, Sénégal, 485p.
- Le Bourgeois Th., 1993. Les mauvaises herbes dans la rotation cotonnière au Nord-Cameroun (Afrique) - Amplitude d'habitat et degré d'infestation - Cycle de développement. Thèse USTL Montpellier II, Montpellier, France, 241p.
- Akobundu I.O. & Agyakwa C.W., 1989. Guide des adventices d'Afrique de l'Ouest. Institut international d'agriculture tropicale. Ibadan, Nigeria, 521p.
Information Listing > References
- Husson, O., H. Charpentier, F.-X. Chabaud, K. Naudin, Rakotondramanana et L. Séguy (2010). Flore des jachères et adventices des cultures. Annexe 1 : les principales plantes de jachères et adventices des cultures à Madagascar. In : Manuel pratique du semis direct à Madagascar. Annexe 1 - Antananarivo : GSDM/CIRAD, 2010 : 64 p.
- Hutchinson J., Dalziel J. M., Keay R. W. J. & Hepper F. N., 1963. Flora of West Tropical Africa. Vol. II. 2ème éd. The Whitefriars Press ed., London & Tonbridge, 544p.
- Ivens G. W., Moody K. & Egunjobi J. K., 1978. West African Weeds. Oxford University Press, Ibadan, Nigeria, 255p.
- Merlier H. & Montégut J., 1982. Adventices tropicales. ORSTOM-GERDAT-ENSH éd., Montpellier, France, 490p.
- Le Bourgeois, T. and H. Merlier (1995). Adventrop - Les adventices d'Afrique soudano-sahélienne. Montpellier, France, Cirad. 640 pp.
- Grard, P., T. Le Bourgeois and H. Merlier (2010). Adventrop V.1.5 Les adventices d'Afrique soudano-sahélienne. Montpellier, France, Cirad.
- Berhaut J., 1967. Flore du Sénégal. 2ème éd. Clairafrique éd., Dakar, Sénégal, 485p.
- Le Bourgeois Th., 1993. Les mauvaises herbes dans la rotation cotonnière au Nord-Cameroun (Afrique) - Amplitude d'habitat et degré d'infestation - Cycle de développement. Thèse USTL Montpellier II, Montpellier, France, 241p.
- Akobundu I.O. & Agyakwa C.W., 1989. Guide des adventices d'Afrique de l'Ouest. Institut international d'agriculture tropicale. Ibadan, Nigeria, 521p.
Images
Herbarium pictures ReCOLNAT: https://explore.recolnat.org/search/botanique/simplequery=Mitracarpus%2520hirtus
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 | Gentianales |
| Family | Rubiaceae |
| Genus | Mitracarpus |
| Species | Mitracarpus hirtus (L.) DC. |
📊 Temporal Distribution
📷 Related Observations
