Hebanthe eriantha

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• suma

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pfaffia paniculata var. ovatifolia
• Pfaffia erianthos
• Pfaffia paniculata
• Pfaffia paniculata monstr. erianthos
• Gomphrena erianthos
• Hebanthe paniculata f. ovatifolia
• Pfaffia paniculata f. ovatifolia
• Pfaffia laurifolia f. denticulata
• Hebanthe virgata
• Celosia eriantha
• Pfaffia laurifolia var. denticulata
• Pfaffia paniculata var. intermedia
• Pfaffia reticulata var. strigulosa
• Pfaffia paraguayensis
• Pfaffia laurifolia
• Pfaffia paniculata var. coronata
• Xeraea paniculata
• Hebanthe erianthos f. ovatifolia
• Pfaffia paniculata var. glabrata
• Hebanthe paniculata
• Iresine erianthos
• Pfaffia paniculata var. bidentata
• Iresine tenuis
• Pfaffia paniculata f. lanceolata
• Iresine tenuis var. discolor
• Gomphrena paniculata
• Gomphrena paniculata var. glabrata
• Gomphrena paniculata f. ovatifolia
• Gomphrena paniculata var. pilosiuscula

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Hebanthe erianthos, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Caryophyllales. Finally, it is classified under the family Amaranthaceae within the genus Hebanthe.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions of South America. In Western South America, its presence is documented within the countries of Bolivia and Peru. Moving toward the eastern part of the continent, the species is widely spread throughout Brazil. Specifically, it can be found in the West-Central, Northeast, and Southeast regions of the Brazilian territory. Consequently, its geographical range spans diverse ecological zones from the Andes to the Atlantic forests.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Hebanthe erianthos is characterized by its presence in high-altitude forest environments, specifically within the habitat known as bosque alto. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, thriving at elevations ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum height of 1000 m AMSL. Such a wide elevational range suggests a high degree of adaptability to varying thermal and hygrometric conditions within these montane forest ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Bosque alto

Life history

The life history of Hebanthe erianthos is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. As a perennial species, it exhibits a long-term survival strategy that enables it to establish a stable presence within its ecological niche, potentially undergoing variable growth patterns depending on environmental stability and resource availability. This extended lifecycle supports its ability to regrow and maintain biological functions over time, contributing to its continuous presence in its natural habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hebanthe erianthos is characterized by its growth form as a woody herb that functions as an obligatory climbing liana. This plant exhibits a liana habit, utilizing other structures for support to ascend, and is classified as an independent organism rather than a parasite. While it possesses woody characteristics in its stem structure, its ecological placement is strictly terrestrial, as it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior such as being a holoepiphyte, hemiepiphyte, or facultative epiphyte. Furthermore, it is not an aquatic or semiaquatic species, maintaining a consistent terrestrial existence in its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Hebanthe erianthos is characterized by its specialized metabolic processes and nutrient acquisition strategies within its tropical habitat. As a herbaceous plant, its physiological efficiency is closely tied to its photosynthetic capacity and its ability to manage water potential in varying environmental conditions. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms; therefore, it relies entirely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system. Its metabolic pathways are geared toward rapid growth and biomass accumulation, supported by an efficient vascular system that facilitates the translocation of photosynthates from the leaves to the developing reproductive structures. The plant's physiological resilience is further defined by its cellular adaptations to moisture availability, ensuring stable osmotic pressure and maintaining turgor for structural integrity during different stages of its life cycle.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Hebanthe erianthos has 1 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. British journal of haematology
2. The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology
3. Cancer detection and prevention

Chemicals

Hebanthe erianthos has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BETA-SITOSTEROL, Daucosterol, Pfaffic acid, Pfaffoside A, Pfaffoside B.

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

Daucosterol

1. Dr. Duke

Pfaffic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Pfaffoside A

1. Dr. Duke

Pfaffoside B

1. Dr. Duke

Pfaffoside C

1. Dr. Duke

Polypodine b

1. Dr. Duke

STIGMASTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

allantoin

1. Dr. Duke

beta-Ecdysone

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Hebanthe erianthos has 66 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Adaptogen, Adaptogenic, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Androgenic, Angiogenic.

Adaptogen

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Adaptogenic

1. International immunopharmacology

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anorexic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiadenomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiandrogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer (Breast)

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations