wild sage

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• wild sage
• crackopen

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Guidonia sylvestris
• Samyda sylvestris

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It further descends through the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales, eventually placing it in the family Salicaceae. Specifically, Casearia sylvestris is identified by the genus Casearia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad presence across several distinct regions within the country of Mexico. It can be found growing throughout the central part of Mexico, serving as a key component of that local flora. Its distribution also extends into the northeast, covering a significant portion of that territory. Furthermore, the species is present in the Gulf region, flourishing in those specific environmental conditions. Finally, the plant's range reaches the northwest and southwest areas, completing its extensive geographical footprint.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Casearia sylvestris is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution and a versatile capacity to inhabit diverse ecosystems. It can be found across an extensive elevational range, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 2300 m AMSL. This species demonstrates significant ecological adaptability, thriving in varied environments such as high-altitude forests (bosque alto), the open savanna landscapes of the cerrado, and even within disturbed areas.

Elevational range max:

2300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Bosque alto, cerrado, disturbed areas

Life history

The life history of Casearia sylvestris is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem over many years. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated branches above the ground, contributing to the structural complexity of its habitat. This plant exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year without undergoing a seasonal shedding period. Its biological strategy as a phanerophyte ensures a continuous presence within its environment, supporting long-term survival through its stable life cycle and consistent vegetative cover.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Casearia sylvestris is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as either a shrub or a tree. As a terrestrial organism, it functions as an independent species without parasitic tendencies. The plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber or liana, maintaining a robust structural integrity. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant vertical development, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 5 meters to a maximum of 20 meters, maintaining an average height of approximately 6 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

6 m

Plant height min:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Casearia sylvestris is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes. The plant exhibits specific leaf traits, including a mean leaf size of 27.765 cm² and a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 148.5735 cm²/g, reflecting its resource acquisition strategy. Its leaf dry matter content (LDMC) shows moderate variability, with a mean value of 448.233333333333 mg/g, ranging from a minimum of 429.1 mg/g to a maximum of 484.7 mg/g. In terms of structural biomass, the stem displays a mean specific density (SSD) of 800 mg/cm³. Additionally, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on external soil nitrogen availability for its metabolic requirements.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) max:

484.7 mg/g

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

448.233333333333 mg/g

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) min:

429.1 mg/g

Leaf size mean:

27.765 cm²

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

148.5735 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

800 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Casearia sylvestris is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily driven by insects, with bees playing a significant role in the fertilization process. The plant produces dry fruits that contain seeds with varying physical dimensions; these seeds exhibit a mean length of 2 mm, ranging from a minimum of 1 mm to a maximum of 6 mm. In terms of mass, the seeds are quite light, with a mean mass of 0.003305 g, though they can vary from a minimum of 0.001 g to a maximum of 0.00561 g. The seed volume is consistent across its measurements, maintaining a mean, minimum, and maximum value of 1.8 mm³. Following successful fertilization, the plant utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to aid in the distribution of its seeds throughout its habitat.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

dry

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

6 mm

Seed length mean:

2 mm

Seed length min:

1 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00561 g

Seed mass mean:

0.003305 g

Seed mass min:

0.001 g

Seed volume max:

1.8 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Casearia sylvestris has 1 reported plant parts identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Applied radiation and isotopes : including data, instrumentation and methods for use in agriculture, industry and medicine
3. Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA
4. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias
5. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Casearia sylvestris has 22 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Br-, CA, CO, CR, CS.

Br-

1. Applied radiation and isotopes : including data, instrumentation and methods for use in agriculture, industry and medicine

CA

1. Applied radiation and isotopes : including data, instrumentation and methods for use in agriculture, industry and medicine

CO

1. Applied radiation and isotopes : including data, instrumentation and methods for use in agriculture, industry and medicine

CR

1. Applied radiation and isotopes : including data, instrumentation and methods for use in agriculture, industry and medicine

CS

1. Applied radiation and isotopes : including data, instrumentation and methods for use in agriculture, industry and medicine

Casearin J

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Cl-

1. Applied radiation and isotopes : including data, instrumentation and methods for use in agriculture, industry and medicine

Diterpene

1. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias

FE

1. Applied radiation and isotopes : including data, instrumentation and methods for use in agriculture, industry and medicine

LA

1. Applied radiation and isotopes : including data, instrumentation and methods for use in agriculture, industry and medicine

Activities

Casearia sylvestris has 12 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal, Antitumor, Antiulcer, Analgesic, Antihyperlipidemic.

Antifungal

1. Journal of natural products
2. Chemistry & biodiversity
3. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias

Antitumor

1. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Antiulcer

1. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias
2. Chemistry & biodiversity

Analgesic

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Antihyperlipidemic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antimicrobial

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Antioxidant

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiparasitic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiproteolytic

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiprotozoal

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Medicinal Uses

Casearia sylvestris has 21 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include ulcers, wounds, diarrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, pain.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations