Parastrephia lucida

Parastrephia lucida · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (18 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

, scientifically known as Parastrephia lucida, is a resilient medicinal shrub native to the high-altitude regions of the Andes. Renowned in traditional folk medicine, it possesses significant therapeutic potential. Researchers are currently exploring its bioactive compounds for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, highlighting its importance in natural pharmacology.

Family
Asteraceae
Native range
Southern America
Parts used
Not available
Common names
Not available
Scientific synonyms
Baccharis Lucida · Baccharis Phyliciformis · 14 more

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Parastrephia lucida

Synonyms

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.

Rank Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Asterales
Family Asteraceae
Genus Parastrephia

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.

Region Area
Western South America Bolivia
Western South America Peru
Brazil Brazil Southeast
Brazil Brazil South
Southern South America Argentina Northwest
Southern South America Chile North

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.

Chemicals reported in Parastrephia lucida
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
Flavonoids 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Apigenin trimethyl ether 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
CINNAMIC ACID 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Coumarines 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
apigenin 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
kaempferol 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
luteolin methyl ether 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
polyphenols 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
vanillin 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

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.

Activities reported in Parastrephia lucida
Activity Supporting sources Consensus
Antioxidant 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antiseptic 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Antioxidant

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

Antiseptic

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

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

Conditions investigated for Parastrephia lucida
Condition Supporting sources Consensus
Antiseptic 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Bacterial infections 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Pain 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Antiseptic

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Bacterial infections

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Pain

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Parastrephia lucida has 10 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extracts, ethanol 20% extracts, ethanolic extract, extract, extracts.

Preparations reported for Parastrephia lucida
Preparation Supporting sources Consensus
Aqueous extracts 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Ethanol 20% extracts 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Ethanolic extract 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Extract 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Extracts 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Fractions 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Hydroalcoholic extracts 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Resin 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Standardized hydroalcoholic extracts 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Tinctures 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Aqueous extracts

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ethanol 20% extracts

  1. Journal of food science

Ethanolic extract

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

Extract

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Extracts

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fractions

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hydroalcoholic extracts

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Resin

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

Standardized hydroalcoholic extracts

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

Tinctures

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology