Guaco

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Willoughbya moronoa
• Willoughbya glomerata
• Cacalia trilobata
• Mikania glomerata var. montana
• Mikania hatschbachii
• Mikania scansoria
• Corynanthelium moronoa

Sources: Wikidata, 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 Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Mikaenia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several regions in Central and South America. In Central America, it can be found growing in the countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Its presence extends significantly into Brazil, where it is established in multiple territories. Specifically, the species is documented throughout the Northeast region of Brazil. Additionally, it is also distributed across the Southeast part of the country.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Mikania glomerata is defined by its preference for low-altitude environments, thriving within an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum of 800 m AMSL. This species is specifically adapted to moist ecosystems, frequently occurring in the bosque bajo (understory) where it colonizes saturated soil. Such conditions suggest a reliance on high moisture availability and sheltered, humid microclimates typical of lowland forest undergrowth.

Elevational range max:

800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Bosque bajo on saturated soil

Life history

The life history of Mikaenia glomerata is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a climbing vine, its developmental strategy involves establishing a robust root system and a trailing stem structure that can extend over long periods, continuously expanding its reach through surrounding vegetation. This perennial nature ensures that the plant can recover from seasonal fluctuations and maintain a continuous presence within its ecological niche, often forming dense mats or climbing high into the canopy to optimize light interception for photosynthesis and subsequent reproductive efforts.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Mikania glomerata is characterized by its growth habit as a non-woody, terrestrial plant that functions as a vine. It acts as an obligatory climber, utilizing surrounding structures for support rather than being self-supporting. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit epiphytic tendencies such as being a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte, nor does it require an epiphytic lifestyle. Furthermore, the plant is entirely independent in its nutritional requirements, functioning as an independent organism rather than an obligatory or facultative parasite.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Mikania glomerata has 2 reported plant parts identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Planta medica
2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
4. Biocell : official journal of the Sociedades Latinoamericanas de Microscopia Electronica ... et. al
5. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Mikania glomerata has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include coumarin, 1-OCTADECENE, 2-HEXENAL, Carbendazim, Coumarins.

coumarin

1. Planta medica
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

1-OCTADECENE

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

2-HEXENAL

1. Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society

Carbendazim

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Coumarins

1. Journal of environmental science and health. Part. B, Pesticides, food contaminants, and agricultural wastes

Dimethomorph

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Ent-kaurenoic acid

1. Fitoterapia

HEXANAL

1. Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society

o-Coumaric acid

1. Planta medica

Activities

Mikania glomerata has 7 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Genotoxic, Analgesic, Antiparasitic, Antiproliferative.

Antibacterial

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
2. Fitoterapia

Genotoxic

1. Biocell : official journal of the Sociedades Latinoamericanas de Microscopia Electronica ... et. al
2. Journal of environmental science and health. Part. B, Pesticides, food contaminants, and agricultural wastes

Analgesic

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Antiparasitic

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Antiproliferative

1. Biocell : official journal of the Sociedades Latinoamericanas de Microscopia Electronica ... et. al

Bronchodilator

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Expectorant

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Mikania glomerata has 19 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include asthma, bronchitis, analgesic, arthritis, bronchoconstriction.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations