Serjania lethalis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Serjania exarata var. extensa

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 Sapindales, it is classified under the family Sapindaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Serjania, specifically as the species Serjaniat lethalis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across various regions of the South American continent. In Western South America, it can be found growing within the territories of both Bolivia and Peru. Its presence is also significant across the extensive landscape of Brazil. Specifically, the species is documented in the West-Central, Northeast, and Southeast regions of the country. This wide range highlights its ability to adapt to diverse environmental conditions across the region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Serjania lethalis is characterized by its significant adaptability across a diverse array of Brazilian biomes and varying topographical settings. It is found within a wide range of habitats, including the Caatinga (strictu sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual, and Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial). This broad distribution allows the species to thrive in environments ranging from seasonally dry shrublands to humid, evergreen rainforests. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a substantial altitudinal tolerance, inhabiting areas from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 1400 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Serjania lethalis is characterized by its status as a perennial species, meaning it survives for multiple years beyond its initial establishment. Unlike annuals that complete their life cycle in a single growing season or biennials that require two years to reach reproductive maturity, this plant maintains a long-term presence in its natural habitat. This perennial lifecycle allows the plant to invest resources into sustained growth and repeated reproductive efforts over several seasons, contributing to its stability within its ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Serjania lethalis is characterized by its growth habit as a woody liana, functioning as an obligatory climber that relies on external structures for support rather than being self-supporting. It is classified as a terrestrial plant, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic adaptations, and does not exhibit epiphytic behavior such as holoepiphytism or hemiepiphytism, instead maintaining a strictly terrestrial life cycle. Furthermore, the species is an independent organism, meaning it does not function as an obligatory or facultative parasite on host plants, despite its climbing nature. The structural integrity of the plant is defined by its woody composition, which provides the necessary strength for its liana-like development within its ecosystem.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Serjania lethalis has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Serjania lethalis has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include nitric oxide.

nitric oxide

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Serjania lethalis has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic.

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Serjania lethalis has 3 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic extracts from the stems and leaves, ethanolic stem bark, stem extracts.

Ethanolic extracts from the stems and leaves

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ethanolic stem bark

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Stem extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology