Saracha punctata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Saracha frondosa
• Capsicum punctatum
• Saracha lobbiana
• Bellinia punctata
• Atropa punctata
• Poecilochroma lobbiana
• Saracha maculata
• Poecilochroma venosa
• Poecilochroma punctata
• Poecilochroma maculata
• Poecilochroma macrophylla
• Poecilochroma brevifolia
• Poecilochroma frondosa

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Saracha punctata, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Solanales and the family Solanaceae. Finally, it is placed within the genus Saracha.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily located within the diverse ecosystems of Western South America. Its natural range extends across several key countries in this specific region. Specifically, it can be found growing in the landscapes of Bolivia and Colombia. The species also inhabits various territories throughout Ecuador. Finally, its geographical distribution includes the mountainous and tropical areas of Peru.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Saracha punctata is defined by its specialized niche within high-altitude montane environments, where it thrives within a specific vertical distribution. This species is strictly adapted to alpine or sub-alpine zones, maintaining a narrow elevational range that begins at a minimum of 2500 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 3600 m AMSL. This high-altitude habitat suggests an ecological reliance on the unique climatic conditions found in these upper reaches, including lower atmospheric pressures, increased UV exposure, and specific temperature fluctuations characteristic of such elevations. Such a constrained altitudinal belt indicates that the plant's physiological requirements are finely tuned to the environmental stressors and soil compositions found exclusively within this 1100-meter vertical window.

Elevational range max:

3600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2500 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Saracha punctata is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a shrub or small tree that can reach a maximum plant height of 7 meters. It is classified as a terrestrial species, exhibiting an independent life cycle without functioning as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant demonstrates a self-supporting structure, functioning as a self-supporting climber or liana rather than an obligatory or facultative climber, and it lacks aquatic or semiaquatic adaptations, remaining strictly terrestrial in its habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

7 m

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Saracha punctata 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 natural products

Chemicals

Saracha punctata has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3beta-amino-22,26-epiminocholest-5-ene, ERIODICTYOL, Sarachine.

3beta-amino-22,26-epiminocholest-5-ene

1. Journal of natural products

ERIODICTYOL

1. Journal of natural products

Sarachine

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Saracha punctata has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiprotozoal.

Antiprotozoal

1. Journal of natural products