barbasco

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• barbasco

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Dioscorea tepinapensis
• Dioscorea tepinapensis var. aggregata

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Dioscorea composita, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Dioscoreales and the family Dioscoreaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Dioscorea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning multiple regions of Mexico and parts of Central America. Within Mexico, it can be found across the Central, Gulf, Southwest, and Southeast territories. Its presence extends beyond the Mexican borders into the neighboring country of Belize. This diverse range highlights the plant's ability to inhabit various ecological zones across these regions. Ultimately, the species is well-established throughout these specific areas of North and Central America.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Dioscorea composita is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a member of the cryptophyte group, it employs specialized survival strategies to endure unfavorable environmental conditions by keeping its regenerative organs protected beneath the soil surface. Specifically, this plant functions as a geophyte, relying on underground storage organs to maintain its life cycle and facilitate regrowth after periods of dormancy.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Dioscorea composita is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically manifesting as a herbaceous vine. As a climber, it functions as an obligatory vine, relying on external structures for support rather than being self-supporting. The plant occupies a terrestrial habitat, ranging from terrestrial to semiaquatic environments, and it maintains an independent lifestyle, functioning as a non-parasitic organism.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Dioscorea composita is characterized by complex metabolic processes centered around its tuberous rhizomes, which serve as specialized storage organs for carbohydrates and secondary metabolites. As a member of the Dioscoreaceae family, its physiological framework is driven by photosynthetic activity in its climbing vines, converting solar energy into chemical energy that is subsequently translocated to subterranean structures for long-term survival. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic interactions, the plant does not exhibit the physiological capacity for biological nitrogen fixation; specifically, it is not a nitrogen fixer, as it lacks the specialized root nodules and symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms. Instead, its physiological reliance for nitrogen acquisition is strictly dependent on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium ions from the surrounding soil through its root system. Furthermore, its metabolic pathways are optimized for the synthesis of steroidal saponins, which are regulated by various enzymatic processes within the plant's cellular structure to facilitate defense and developmental signaling.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Leaf

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Chemicals

Dioscorea composita has 17 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Abscisic acid (ABA), Citronellyl acetate, DIOSGENIN, Elemol, MDA.

Abscisic acid (ABA)

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

Citronellyl acetate

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

DIOSGENIN

1. Dr. Duke

Elemol

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

MDA

1. Plant cell reports

Methyl jasmonate

1. Plant, cell & environment

NEROLIDOL

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

NaCl

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

PA

1. Plant, cell & environment

PAS

1. Plant, cell & environment

Activities

Dioscorea composita has 7 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifatigue, Antiinflammatory, Antistress, Estrogenic, Hepatoprotective.

Antifatigue

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antistress

1. Dr. Duke

Estrogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Hepatoprotective

1. Dr. Duke

Hypocholesterolemic

1. Dr. Duke

Mastogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Dioscorea composita has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include salt stress, drought, osmotic stress, salinity, salt tolerance.

Salt stress

1. Journal of plant physiology
2. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

Drought

1. Plant cell reports

Osmotic stress

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

Salinity

1. Plant cell reports

Salt tolerance

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

Salt tolerances

1. Plant cell reports

Preparations

Dioscorea composita has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include essential oil.

Essential oil

1. TheScientificWorldJournal