yoko

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• yoko

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Paullinia yoco, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized into the order Sapindales and the family Sapindaceae. Its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Paullinia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Paullinia yoco, exhibits a specific distribution across the western regions of South America. Its natural habitat is primarily concentrated within the tropical landscapes of Colombia. Additionally, the species can be found growing throughout various parts of Ecuador. The geographical range also extends southward into the territory of Peru. Consequently, these three countries represent the core areas where this medicinal plant is located.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Paullinia yoco is characterized by its adaptation to specific altitudinal gradients within its native habitat, where it thrives across a diverse topographical spectrum. This species is primarily distributed within an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 325 m AMSL to a maximum of 1150 m AMSL. This vertical distribution suggests that the plant is capable of occupying various ecological niches, ranging from lowland environments to mid-elevation montane zones, which likely exposes it to a variety of microclimates, moisture regimes, and soil compositions found within this specific altitudinal belt.

Elevational range max:

1150 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

325 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Paullinia yoco is characterized by a woody structure and a distinct growth habit as a liana. As an obligatory climber, it relies on external support to ascend, functioning as a vine rather than being self-supporting. Its ecological positioning is primarily terrestrial, distinguishing it from aquatic or semiaquatic species. Furthermore, the plant operates as an independent organism, lacking parasitic tendencies, and its life cycle is rooted in a terrestrial existence rather than an epiphytic one, whether facultative or obligatory.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Paullinia yoco is characterized by complex metabolic processes geared toward survival in specific ecological niches, particularly concerning its nutrient acquisition strategies. Regarding its nitrogen metabolism, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its physiological reliance is placed on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system to support protein synthesis and enzymatic functions. Its metabolic pathways are optimized to manage energy production and secondary metabolite synthesis, which are essential for its medicinal properties, though its primary growth is strictly dependent on the availability of exogenous nitrogen sources within its substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Paullinia yoco has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include caffeine.

caffeine

1. Ciba Foundation symposium

Preparations

Paullinia yoco has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include stimulants.

Stimulants

1. Ciba Foundation symposium