Mikania cordifolia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range concentrated within the southern regions of the United States. In the South-Central U.S.A., its presence can be noted within the state of Texas. Moving toward the Southeastern U.S.A., it is also found growing in Alabama. The distribution continues through the Southeastern U.S.A. into the states of Georgia and Florida. Finally, its range extends through the Southeastern U.S.A. to include Louisiana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Mikania cordifolia is characterized by a broad environmental plasticity, allowing it to colonize a diverse array of ecosystems ranging from anthropogenic areas and open grasslands (Campo Limpo) to highly varied forest types. It is commonly found within the Cerrado (latu sensu), riparian or gallery forests (Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria), and both seasonal deciduous (Floresta Estacional Decidual) and semi-deciduous (Floresta Estacional Semidecidual) forests. Additionally, this species thrives in humid environments such as ombrophilous forests (Floresta Ombrófila, including both pluvial and mixed types) and coastal Restinga habitats. This adaptability extends to its altitudinal distribution, where it can be found at any elevation from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum of 3000 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Campo Limpo, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila Mista, Restinga

Life history

The life history of Mikania cordifolia is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, it is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting traits consistent with both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms, which dictates its method of surviving unfavorable conditions by maintaining its buds above the soil surface.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Mikania cordifolia is characterized by its growth as a woody liana, functioning as an obligatory climber that utilizes other vegetation for structural support. Although it exhibits characteristics of a woody herb or forb, its primary growth habit is that of a climbing vine rather than a self-supporting plant. It is a terrestrial species, growing in soil rather than being aquatic, semiaquatic, or an epiphyte (such as a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte). Furthermore, the plant is an independent organism, meaning it does not function as a parasite, and it maintains a woody structure as it matures.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Mikania cordifolia has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, stem.

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Mikania cordifolia has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic extracts from Mikania cordifolia (root and stem), ethanolic extracts of stem from Mikania cordifolia.

Ethanolic extracts from mikania cordifolia (root and stem)

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ethanolic extracts of stem from mikania cordifolia

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology