tall sawwort

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• tall sawwort

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Saussurea microcephala
• Saussurea amara var. microcephala
• Theodorea microcephala
• Saussurea microcephala var. aptera
• Saussurea amara var. exappendiculata
• Saussurea glomerata f. alata
• Saussurea amara var. glomerata
• Saussurea glomerata var. chinensis
• Saussurea glomerata
• Saussurea amara f. microcephala
• Saussurea gmelinii
• Saussurea laevigata
• Saussurea macrocephala
• Saussurea scabra
• Saussurea tenuicaulis
• Serratula amara
• Theodorea amara
• Theodorea glomerata
• Theodorea integrata
• Vernonia amara
• Saussurea centauroides

Regional and Traditional Names

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, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Saussurea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution focused primarily within the region of Eastern Europe. It can be found growing across the territories of Belarus and the Baltic States. The species also extends its range into the vast landscapes of Central European Russia. Additionally, its presence is documented within East European Russia. Finally, the plant's habitat reaches as far as North European Russia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Saussurea amara is characterized by its presence in diverse high-altitude environments, specifically thriving within meadows and saline places. This species exhibits a broad vertical distribution across varying landscapes, with an elevational range that begins as low as 510 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 3200 m AMSL. Across its entire natural range, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 1855 m AMSL, reflecting its ability to adapt to the specific moisture and soil conditions found in both open grassland and salt-affected habitats.

Elevational range max:

3200 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1855 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

510 m AMSL

Habitat :

meadows, saline places

Life history

The life history of Saussurea amara is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its natural habitat through multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived species, it undergoes a cyclical development pattern that involves establishing a robust root system to survive harsh environmental conditions before transitioning into its reproductive phases. Over its extended lifespan, the plant manages energy reserves to support seasonal vegetative growth and eventual flowering, ensuring its continued presence and ability to propagate within its specific ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Saussurea amara is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically categorized as a forb. This plant is a self-supporting species that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it maintains an independent existence as it is neither a parasite nor an epiphyte, typically growing in terrestrial habitats. Regarding its stature, it is a relatively low-growing species with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.15 m to a maximum of 0.6 m. While it is primarily terrestrial, its ecological niche can involve aquatic or semiaquatic conditions depending on the specific environment.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Saussurea amara is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency. The morphological dimensions of its foliage exhibit significant variability, reflecting adaptive physiological strategies; the leaf length typically averages 11 cm, with a minimum recorded at 4 cm and reaching a maximum of 18 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width shows a diverse range, maintaining a mean of 3.35 cm, while individual leaves can be as narrow as 0.7 cm or as wide as 6 cm. These variations in leaf surface area and dimensions play a critical role in the plant's gas exchange and light absorption capabilities within its natural habitat.

Leaf length max:

18 cm

Leaf length mean:

11 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

6 cm

Leaf width mean:

3.35 cm

Leaf width min:

0.7 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Saussurea amara is characterized by a sexual reproductive strategy, specifically featuring bisexual flowers. The flowering period occurs seasonally, beginning in July and concluding in September. Following pollination, the plant produces fruits that are notably consistent in size, with a minimum, mean, and maximum length all measured at approximately 0.3 cm. Regarding the dissemination of its progeny, the species utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on wind currents to transport its seeds across the environment.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit length max:

0.3 cm

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Saussurea amara has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Apigenin 7-O-glucoside, Cynarin, Cynaropicrin, santonin.

Apigenin 7-O-glucoside

1. Planta medica

Cynarin

1. Planta medica

Cynaropicrin

1. Planta medica

santonin

1. Planta medica

Activities

Saussurea amara has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Choleretic.

Choleretic

1. Planta medica

Preparations

Saussurea amara has 3 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous crude extract, ethyl acetate extract, methanolic extract.

Aqueous crude extract

1. Planta medica

Ethyl acetate extract

1. Planta medica

Methanolic extract

1. Planta medica