Ferula szowitsiana

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Peucedanum szowitsianum
• Ferula microloba
• Ferula khorasanica
• Ferula hirtella
• Ferula collina

Sources: Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Apiales, it is classified under the family Apiaceae. Specifically, its taxonomic designation is within the genus Ferula.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the vast landscapes of Central Asia. Specifically, it can be found growing within the borders of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Its range also extends into the Caucasus region, specifically throughout the Transcaucasus. Furthermore, the species inhabits parts of Western Asia, including the country of Afghanistan. Finally, its geographical presence is noted within the territory of Iran.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ferula szowitsiana is defined by its adaptation to harsh, arid environments, specifically thriving within desert landscapes and saline places. This species occupies a specific altitudinal niche, maintaining an elevational range that begins at 700 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 1200 m AMSL. Its ability to persist in saline soils suggests specialized physiological mechanisms for managing osmotic stress, allowing it to colonize environments that are often inhospitable to less specialized flora.

Elevational range max:

1200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

700 m AMSL

Habitat :

desert, saline places

Life history

The life history of Ferula szowitsiana is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. Morphologically, it is classified under the life form of a hemicryptophyte, a strategy where the perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, typically protected by leaf litter or organic debris. This hemicryptophytic habit, combined with its long-lived perennial nature, enables the species to withstand seasonal environmental fluctuations and maintain stability within its specific ecological niche.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ferula szowitsiana is characterized by a non-woody, herbaceous growth form. This plant is an independent species, functioning without any parasitic relationship to other organisms. In terms of its stature, it maintains a relatively consistent and compact size, with a plant height that reaches a maximum of 0.5 m and a minimum height of 0.5 m.

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ferula szowitsiana is characterized by a specific phenological cycle and specialized seed dissemination methods. The flowering period for this species typically begins in April and concludes in May, although the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. Following the pollination phase, the plant utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning its seeds are primarily dispersed by the action of the wind to colonize new areas.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

May

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ferula szowitsiana has 1 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Drug and chemical toxicology
2. Nutrition and cancer
3. Research in pharmaceutical sciences
4. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Chemicals

Ferula szowitsiana has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Farnesiferol C, Auraptene, Galbanic acid, Microlobin, methyl galbanate.

Farnesiferol C

1. Journal of Asian natural products research
2. Drug research

Auraptene

1. Nutrition and cancer

Galbanic acid

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Microlobin

1. Drug research

methyl galbanate

1. Journal of immunotoxicology

Activities

Ferula szowitsiana has 8 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimutagenic, Antioxidant, Antitumor, Antiviral.

Antibacterial

1. Nutrition and cancer

Antimutagenic

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

Antioxidant

1. Nutrition and cancer

Antitumor

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

Antiviral

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

Apoptotic

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

Neuroprotective

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

Conditions

Ferula szowitsiana has 11 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Staphylococcus aureus, asthma, cancers, Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli.

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Nutrition and cancer
2. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Asthma

1. Drug and chemical toxicology
2. Cytokine

Cancers

1. Drug and chemical toxicology
2. Cytokine

Clostridium perfringens

1. Nutrition and cancer

Escherichia coli

1. Nutrition and cancer

Salmonella typhimurium

1. Nutrition and cancer

Cancer

1. Research in pharmaceutical sciences

Inflammation

1. Drug and chemical toxicology

Melanogenesis

1. Nutrition and cancer

Multiple sclerosis

1. Drug and chemical toxicology

Preparations

Ferula szowitsiana has 3 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extract, methanolic extract, root.

Extract

1. Cytokine

Methanolic extract

1. Cytokine

Root

1. Nutrition and cancer