Bassecoia hookeri

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pterocephalodes hookeri
• Pterocephalus hookeri
• Scabiosa hookeri
• Pterocephalus bantangensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Dipsacales. Finally, it is a member of the family Caprifoliaceae and is identified by the genus Bassecoia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, it can be found throughout the South-Central areas as well as in the provinces of Qinghai and Tibet. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, its range extends into the East Himalaya region. Furthermore, the species is documented to grow within the borders of Nepal. Together, these locations highlight the plant's preference for high-altitude and diverse mountainous terrains.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bassettia hookeri is defined by its presence in high-altitude alpine and sub-alpine environments, specifically occupying a distinct elevational niche. This species thrives within a specialized vertical range, occurring at altitudes starting from a minimum of 3000 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum elevation of 4900 m AMSL. Such a distribution indicates an adaptation to extreme environmental conditions typical of high-mountain ecosystems, including intense ultraviolet radiation, significant diurnal temperature fluctuations, and potentially thinner atmospheric pressures. Its ability to persist across this nearly 2000-meter elevational gradient suggests a high degree of physiological resilience to the varied microclimates found within these high-altitude zones.

Elevational range max:

4900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

3000 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Bassecoya hookeri is characterized by its growth form as a herb, which lacks a significant woody structure and is classified as non-woody. As a climbing plant, it exhibits a self-supporting habit, allowing it to ascend through its environment without the need for external hosts. Furthermore, its ecological positioning is terrestrial, as it grows in soil rather than functioning as an epiphyte.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Bassecoia hookeri has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Loganin, OLEANOLIC ACID, PA, Sweroside, Ursolic acid.

Loganin

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

PA

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Sweroside

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Ursolic acid

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Activities

Bassecoia hookeri has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antinociceptive.

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Pharmaceutical biology

Antinociceptive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations