Parastrephia lucida

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Baccharis lucida
• Baccharis phyliciformis
• Polyclados abietinus
• Lepidophyllum phyliciforme
• Parastrephia ericoides
• Vernonia phyliciformis
• Parastrephia phyliciformis
• Diplostephium tovarii
• Dolichogyne glabra
• Dolichogyne rigida
• Lepidophyllum abietinum
• Lepidophyllum lucidum
• Lepidophyllum phyliciforme var. resinosum
• Lepidophyllum rigidum
• Vernonia phyliciformis var. resinosa
• Dolichogyne rupestris

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 and the family Asteraceae, it is classified under the genus Parastrefia. Its specific scientific designation is Parastrefia lucida.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily located within the diverse landscapes of Western South America. Specifically, its presence can be identified in the territories of Bolivia and Peru. The species also extends into the southern regions of Brazil, covering both the Southeast and South areas. Furthermore, its range reaches into Southern South America, specifically within the Northwest of Argentina. Together, these locations define the unique geographical footprint of Parastrephia lucida.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Parasatrephia lucida is characterized by its preference for high-altitude environments, typically flourishing within specific montane zones. This species occupies a specialized ecological niche defined by a distinct elevational range, occurring at altitudes starting from a minimum of 2900 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 5000 m AMSL. This distribution suggests an adaptation to the unique climatic conditions, such as lower temperatures and varying atmospheric pressures, found in these high-elevation tropical or subtropical mountain ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

5000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2900 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Parastrephia lucida is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to establish a long-term presence within its native habitats. Throughout its existence, the plant undergoes multiple growing seasons, relying on a robust root system to survive environmental fluctuations and sustain its development over several years. As a perennial, it avoids the complete mortality associated with annual or biennial life cycles, instead focusing on iterative growth and the ability to recover from seasonal stresses. This enduring lifecycle supports its reproductive strategies, enabling the plant to contribute to the stability and continuity of its ecosystem over an extended period.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Parastrephia lucida is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically classified as a shrub. It functions as an independent organism, exhibiting no parasitic tendencies toward other plants. The plant is terrestrial in nature, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic adaptations, and it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, remaining firmly rooted in the ground rather than growing on other structures. Furthermore, it is a self-supporting species, meaning it does not possess the climbing or vining habits of lianas or facultative climbers, maintaining a stable, upright structural integrity through its woody stems.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Parastrephia lucida has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Apigenin trimethyl ether, CINNAMIC ACID, Coumarines, apigenin.

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

Apigenin trimethyl ether

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

CINNAMIC ACID

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Coumarines

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

apigenin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

kaempferol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

luteolin methyl ether

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

polyphenols

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

vanillin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Parastrephia lucida has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antiseptic.

Antioxidant

1. Journal of food science
2. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

Antiseptic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Parastrephia lucida has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antiseptic, bacterial infections, pain.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations