Himalayan Thornless Thistle

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Himalayan Thornless Thistle

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cirsium heteromallum
• Saussurea brassicifolia
• Saussurea candicans
• Himalaiella heteromalla
• Lipschitziella heteromalla
• Saussurea heteromalla
• Theodorea heteromalla
• Aplotaxis candicans
• Aplotaxis scaposa
• Jurinea brassicifolia
• Jurinea malacophylla
• Cnicus heteromallus
• Saussurea brahuica
• Saussurea viridifolia
• Theodorea brahuica

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 falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales, specifically within the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Jurinea, which defines its specific taxonomic identity.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions of Asia. Within Western Asia, it can be found growing in the territories of Afghanistan and Iran. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, its range extends through the rugged terrain of the East Himalaya. It is also widely documented across various parts of India. Finally, its presence is confirmed in the mountainous landscapes of Nepal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Jurinea heteroalla is defined by its specific preference for montane environments, where it occupies a distinct altitudinal niche. This species is typically found within an elevational range that begins at 800 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2100 m AMSL. Within these vertical zones, the plant adapts to the varying climatic conditions and soil compositions characteristic of mid-to-high altitude terrains, playing a role in the specialized herbaceous communities of its native habitat.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

800 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Jurinea heteroalla is characterized by its growth form as a herb, exhibiting a non-woody structure throughout its vegetative development. While it does not possess the climbing habits of vines, its physical constitution is defined by this herbaceous nature, lacking any woody tissue or self-supporting climbing mechanisms such as tendrils or twining stems.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Jurinea heteromalla has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1-O-butyl 2-O-octyl benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate, 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol, 2,4-ditert-butylphenol.

1-O-butyl 2-O-octyl benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate

1. Scientific reports

2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol

1. Scientific reports

2,4-ditert-butylphenol

1. Scientific reports

Activities

Jurinea heteromalla has 5 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Free-Radical Scavenging.

Antibacterial

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Antifungal

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Antioxidant

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Cytotoxic

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Free-Radical Scavenging

1. Scientific reports

Preparations

Jurinea heteromalla has 5 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include chloroform extract, crude methanolic extract (CME), ethanol extract, extracts of the whole plant of Saussurea heteromalla, n-hexane extract.

Chloroform extract

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Crude methanolic extract (cme)

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Ethanol extract

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Extracts of the whole plant of saussurea heteromalla

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

N-hexane extract

1. Scientific reports