Mikania laevigata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cacalia nitida

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Within this lineage, it is specifically identified by the genus Mikania.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical presence within the borders of Brazil. Its distribution spans multiple distinct regions, including the West-Central area of the country. Additionally, it can be found growing throughout the Southeast region of Brazil. The species also extends its range into the Southern part of the nation. Consequently, these findings highlight a wide presence across various Brazilian territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Mikania laevigata is characterized by a versatile distribution across diverse Brazilian biomes, including the Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar or Galeria, Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial), and Floresta Ombrófila Mista. This adaptability allows the species to occupy a wide range of environmental conditions, from riparian corridors to dense rainforests and seasonal woodlands. Its altitudinal distribution is equally broad, spanning an elevational range from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL, indicating its ability to thrive in both lowland tropical habitats and higher-altitude montane environments.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila Mista

Life history

The life history of Mikania laevigata is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial climber, it establishes a long-term presence within its ecosystem, utilizing its creeping or climbing stems to navigate through surrounding vegetation over an extended period. This sustained lifecycle enables the plant to undergo repeated cycles of vegetative growth and reproductive phases, ensuring its continued survival and ability to colonize various habitats. Unlike annuals or biennials that complete their life cycle within a single or double season, the perennial nature of Mikania laevigata supports a continuous developmental trajectory that facilitates long-term establishment and resource acquisition.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Mikania laevigata is characterized by its growth habit as a terrestrial organism, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic adaptations. It functions as an obligatory climber, utilizing specialized structures to ascend surrounding vegetation rather than being self-supporting. While it can occupy various niches, its ecological profile is strictly terrestrial, meaning it does not exhibit epiphytic lifestyles such as being a holoepiphyte, hemiepiphyte, or facultative epiphyte. Furthermore, the plant is morphologically independent, possessing its own physiological mechanisms for nutrient acquisition without relying on a parasitic relationship with a host.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Mikania laevigata has 1 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Planta medica
2. Pharmacognosy magazine

Chemicals

Mikania laevigata has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ent-kaurenoic acid, coumarin.

Ent-kaurenoic acid

1. Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas

coumarin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Mikania laevigata has 4 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antiparasitic, Bronchodilator, Expectorant.

Antibacterial

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
2. Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas

Antiparasitic

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Bronchodilator

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Expectorant

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Mikania laevigata has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include arthritis, asthma, bronchoconstriction, edema, mutagenesis.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations