Huperzia saururus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lycopodium axillare
• Lycopodium elongatum
• Lycopodium insulare
• Lycopodium saururus
• Urostachys elongatus
• Urostachys saururus var. elongatus
• Huperzia sanctae-barbarae
• Lycopodium sanctae-barbarae
• Urostachys saururus
• Plananthus saururus
• Phlegmariurus saururus

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Lycopodiidae. Within the order Lycopodiales and family Lycopodiaceae, it is specifically classified under the genus Huperzia. As the species Huperzia saururus, it represents a distinct lineage within this botanical hierarchy.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several regions of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found in Cameroon, Rwanda, and the DR Congo. Its presence extends into Northeast Tropical Africa, where it is documented in Ethiopia. Additionally, the species is located within East Tropical Africa, specifically in Kenya. Together, these locations highlight the diverse habitats where the plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Huperzia saururus is characterized by its specific distribution across varied mountainous terrains, where it occupies a significant vertical niche within its habitat. This species thrives across a substantial altitudinal gradient, ranging from a minimum elevation of 700 m AMSL to a maximum elevation of 4000 m AMSL. Such a broad elevational range suggests an adaptable physiological capacity to withstand fluctuations in temperature, atmospheric pressure, and moisture levels associated with ascending montane environments. Its presence across these elevations indicates that it can inhabit diverse microclimates, from lower, potentially more temperate montane zones to the harsher, high-altitude conditions found near the upper limit of its range.

Elevational range max:

4000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

700 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Huperzia saururus is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist across multiple growing seasons within its specific ecological niche. Functioning primarily as a geophyte, it relies on underground structures to survive unfavorable conditions, which aligns with its classification as a cryptophyte. This life strategy ensures that the plant's vital organs remain protected beneath the substrate, facilitating long-term survival and regrowth in its native habitat.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Huperzia saururus is characterized by a low-growing, non-woody herb that functions as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber or liana. It exhibits a growth form typical of a small herb, reaching a plant height that ranges from a minimum of 0.15 m to a maximum of 0.3 m. Although it can inhabit various moisture gradients, its ecological status spans aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial habitats, though it is specifically classified as terrestrial in its epiphytic capacity. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite, maintaining a self-sufficient biological structure.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.3 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Huperzia saururus has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Sauroxine, arginine, sauroine.

Sauroxine

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

arginine

1. Pharmaceutical biology

sauroine

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Huperzia saururus has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Aphrodisiac.

Antioxidant

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Aphrodisiac

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Conditions

Huperzia saururus has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Alzheimer's disease, learning, memory.

Alzheimer's disease

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Learning

1. Journal of natural products

Memory

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Preparations

Huperzia saururus has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include decoction, infusion.

Decoction

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
2. Pharmaceutical biology

Infusion

1. Pharmaceutical biology