Wall Purslane

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Wall Purslane
• Spanish-elder
• pepper-elder
• jaborandi-manso

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Enckea amalago

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Piperales and the family Piperaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Piper and the specific species name Piper amalago.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad presence across various regions within Mexico. Its distribution begins in the central part of the country, specifically within Mexico Central. Moving towards the eastern borders, it can also be found throughout Mexico Northeast and Mexico Gulf. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the western territories of Mexico Southwest. Finally, the plant is widely documented within the tropical reaches of Mexico Southeast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Piper amalago is characterized by a broad adaptability across diverse Brazilian biomes and a significant vertical distribution. This species inhabits a wide array of ecosystems, including Cerrado (latu sensu), Ciliar or Gallery Forests, Deciduous Seasonal Forests, Semi-deciduous Seasonal Forests, Ombrophilous (Pluvial) Forests, and Mixed Ombrophilous Forests, as well as specialized environments such as Restinga and vegetation growing over rocky outcrops. Its elevational range is extensive, allowing it to thrive from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 2000 m AMSL, demonstrating its capacity to occupy both lowland and montane ecological niches.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila Mista, Restinga, Vegetação Sobre Afloramentos Rochosos

Life history

The life history of Piper amalago is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. In terms of its growth habit and structural development, the species exhibits characteristics of both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms, indicating that its buds are located on aerial shoots that can vary in height and exposure. Throughout its existence, the plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that it retains its foliage and continues metabolic processes without the seasonal shedding of leaves typical of deciduous species.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Piper amalago is characterized by a woody growth form that manifests as a shrub. It is a terrestrial plant that functions independently as a non-parasitic organism, rather than acting as an obligatory or facultative parasite. In terms of its structural habit, the plant is self-supporting, functioning as both a self-supporting climber and a non-epiphytic terrestrial species. The physical stature of the plant is significant, reaching a mean height of approximately 3 m, with the potential to achieve a maximum height of up to 6 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6 m

Plant height mean:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Piper amalago is characterized by a metabolic framework typical of many members of the Piperaceae family. It utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism wherein the initial fixation of carbon dioxide occurs through the enzyme Rubisco to form a three-carbon compound, which is the standard process for most temperate and tropical understory plants. Additionally, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria, such as rhizobia, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms; instead, it relies on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds directly from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Piper amalago is characterized by the production of fleshy fruits, which fall under a classification distinct from standard botanical categories such as berries or drupes. These fleshy fruits facilitate a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to aid in the spread of the species. The seeds contained within are relatively small and uniform in volume, maintaining a consistent mean seed volume of 0.27 mm³, with both minimum and maximum recorded values staying at 0.27 mm³. In terms of dimensions, the seeds exhibit a length ranging from a minimum of 1 mm to a maximum of 6 mm. The seed mass is also quite fine, with a mean mass of 0.00153 g, fluctuating between a minimum of 0.00136 g and a maximum of 0.0017 g.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit type :

other

Seed length max:

6 mm

Seed length min:

1 mm

Seed mass max:

0.0017 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00153 g

Seed mass min:

0.00136 g

Seed volume max:

0.27 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Piper amalago has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Piper amalago has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Amide, Flavonoids, Yangambin.

Amide

1. Experimental and toxicologic pathology : official journal of the Gesellschaft fur Toxikologische Pathologie

Flavonoids

1. Experimental and toxicologic pathology : official journal of the Gesellschaft fur Toxikologische Pathologie

Yangambin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Piper amalago has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Diuretic, Natriuretic.

Diuretic

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Natriuretic

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Piper amalago has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include anxiety, diuretic.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations