Mikania holwayana

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the tropical regions of the Americas. In Central America, its presence is documented within the borders of Costa Rica. Moving toward the western portion of the South American continent, it can also be found in Colombia. Furthermore, the species extends its range into Ecuador, located in western South America. Together, these locations define the primary geographical footprint of Mikania holwayana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Mikania holwayana is defined by its preference for high-altitude montane environments, where it occupies specific niches within cloud forests or high-elevation tropical ecosystems. This species is characterized by a distinct elevational range, typically found at significant altitudes that subject it to cooler temperatures and increased moisture levels compared to lowland flora. Its ecological distribution centers around an elevational range mean of 2100 m AMSL, a positioning that dictates its physiological adaptations to lower atmospheric pressure and high levels of humidity. Within these specialized habitats, the plant plays a role in the structural complexity of its environment, often utilizing its climbing habit to navigate the dense vegetation of high-altitude forest canopies.

Elevational range mean:

2100 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Mikania holwayana is characterized by its growth habit as a terrestrial plant, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic adaptations. It functions as a self-supporting climber, often utilizing surrounding structures for upward movement rather than existing as a free-standing woody liana. In terms of its ecological positioning, it is strictly terrestrial and does not exhibit epiphytic tendencies, meaning it does not grow as a holoepiphyte, hemiepiphyte, or any other form of facultative or obligatory epiphyte. Furthermore, the species is an independent organism, showing no parasitic traits, as it lacks any obligatory or facultative parasitic relationship with a host plant.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Mikania holwayana 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. Revista de biologia tropical

Stem

1. Revista de biologia tropical