Salmea scandens

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Salmea oppositiceps
• Salmea parviceps
• Salmea pubescens
• Salmea salicifolia
• Salmea scandens subsp. paraguariensis
• Salmea scandens var. amellus
• Salmea scandens var. obtusata
• Salmea scandens var. pubescens
• Salmea tomentosa
• Salmeopsis claussenii
• Santolina amellus
• Spilanthes nitida
• Spilanthes volubilis
• Verbesina scandens
• Salmea sessilifolia
• Calea amellus
• Ceratocephalus nitidus
• Eupatorium houstonis
• Fornicaria scandens
• Hopkirkia eupatoria
• Hopkirkia scandens
• Isocarpha amellus
• Melanthera amellus
• Salmea eupatoria
• Salmea eupatoria var. intermedia
• Salmea grandiceps
• Salmea nitida
• Bidens scandens

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 Asterales. Finally, it is a member of the family Asteraceae and is identified by the genus Salmea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across various regions of Mexico. It can be found growing throughout the central part of the country in Mexico Central. Its presence extends to the northeastern territories within Mexico Northeast. Additionally, the species is located along the coastal areas of Mexico Gulf. Finally, it inhabits the diverse landscapes of both Mexico Southwest and Mexico Southeast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Salmea scandens is characterized by its presence within the Cerrado (latu sensu) habitat, where it adapts to the specific environmental conditions of this biome. The species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 2000 m AMSL. On average, the plant is found at a mean elevation of 350 m AMSL, indicating a preference for lower to mid-elevation landscapes within its ecological niche.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

350 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu)

Life history

The life history of Salmea scandens is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. As a climbing plant, its developmental trajectory involves the establishment of a robust root system and a spreading vegetative structure that allows it to navigate its environment over several years. Throughout its multi-year lifespan, it undergoes seasonal cycles of growth, flowering, and seed production, ensuring long-term survival and the ability to colonize surrounding habitats through successive reproductive stages.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Salmea scandens is characterized by a shrub-like growth form that typically reaches a mean plant height of 2.5 m. It functions as an obligatory climber, utilizing a self-supporting mechanism to ascend, and is classified as a non-woody plant. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, being strictly terrestrial rather than acting as a holoepiphyte, hemiepiphyte, or facultative epiphyte. Furthermore, the plant is an independent organism, showing no parasitic tendencies such as obligatory or facultative parasitism.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

2.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Salmea scandens is characterized by complex metabolic processes adapted to its climbing growth habit and specific environmental niche. A key aspect of its nutrient acquisition involves its interaction with soil chemistry, though it does not function as a nitrogen fixer; specifically, it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, meaning its nitrogen status is entirely dependent on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the substrate. Its metabolic pathways support rapid vegetative expansion, utilizing efficient photosynthetic mechanisms to drive the synthesis of organic compounds necessary for structural development. Furthermore, the plant maintains osmotic balance and cellular homeostasis through specialized transpiration rates and nutrient transport systems that facilitate the movement of minerals from the root zone to its climbing tendrils and foliage.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Salmea scandens 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. Natural product research

Activities

Salmea scandens has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial.

Antimicrobial

1. Natural product research

Preparations

Salmea scandens has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include microwave-assisted extraction (MAE).

Microwave-assisted extraction (mae)

1. Natural product research