Orthopterygium huaucui

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Juliania huaucui
• Amphipterygium huaucui

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Orthopterygium huaucui, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Sapindales. Finally, it is a member of the family Anacardiaceae and falls under the genus Orthopterygium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to the specific region of Western South America. Its natural habitat is found exclusively within the borders of Peru. Due to this localized presence, it is considered an endemic species to this particular part of the continent. The geographical range of Orthopterygium huaucui remains concentrated in this South American territory. Therefore, its distribution is quite limited to the Peruvian landscape.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Orthopterygium huaucui is characterized by a woody growth form that manifests in both tree and shrub dimensions, reaching a maximum plant height of 4 m. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite, and while it can exist in various habitats, its primary ecological classification is terrestrial rather than aquatic or semiaquatic. The plant exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit, functioning as a self-supporting liana or vine rather than being an obligatory or facultative climber that relies on other structures for verticality. Furthermore, it is strictly a terrestrial species, lacking any epiphytic characteristics such as holoepiphytic, hemiepiphytic, or facultative epiphytic growth patterns.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Orthopterygium huaucui is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. Through this mechanism, the plant utilizes the enzyme RuBisCO to directly fix atmospheric carbon dioxide into a three-carbon compound during the Calvin cycle. This metabolic strategy implies that the plant's gas exchange and energy production are highly dependent on specific environmental conditions, such as temperature and moisture availability, to optimize the balance between carboxylation and photorespiration. Consequently, its physiological performance is intrinsically linked to its ability to manage water loss and light interception within its native habitat.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Orthopterygium huaucui has 3 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, leaf, stem.

Fruit

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Leaf

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Stem

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Chemicals

Orthopterygium huaucui has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Gallic acid, METHYL GALLATE, Procyanidins, Tannins.

Flavonoids

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Gallic acid

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

METHYL GALLATE

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Procyanidins

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Tannins

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

kaempferol

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

quercetin

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Medicinal Uses

Orthopterygium huaucui has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include burns.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations