Yacón

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Polymnia edulis
• Polymnia sonchifolia
• Silphium edule

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales, falling within the family Asteraceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Smallanthus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad presence across several key regions within East Asia. In China, it can be found throughout the South-Central and North-Central territories. Its distribution also extends to the southeastern parts of the country and the island of Hainan. Additionally, the species is documented as growing in the region of Taiwan. Together, these areas define its primary geographical range.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Smallanthus sonchiifolius is defined by its adaptation to high-altitude environments, specifically within montane and subalpine ecosystems. This species thrives within a distinct altitudinal belt, typically occupying an elevational range that begins at 1,700 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2,700 m AMSL. Within these parameters, the plant is adapted to the specific climatic conditions of the Andean regions, where it manages the nuances of temperature fluctuations and moisture availability characteristic of mid-to-high elevations. Its presence in these specific altitudinal strata indicates a specialized niche requirement, where the atmospheric pressure, UV exposure, and soil compositions found between 1,700 and 2,700 meters provide the optimal ecological conditions for its growth and biological processes.

Elevational range max:

2700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1700 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Smallanthus sonchiifolius is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it establishes a robust root system that facilitates long-term survival and the ability to regenerate after periods of environmental stress. Throughout its life cycle, the plant undergoes various developmental stages, including vegetative growth where it develops its characteristic large, lobed leaves, and reproductive phases where it produces inflorescences to ensure genetic continuity. Its perennial nature enables it to maintain a steady presence in its habitat, often outcompeting shorter-lived annuals by occupying space and resources over successive years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Smallanthus sonchiifolius is characterized by a herbaceous growth form, functioning as a non-woody herb. The plant typically reaches a mean height of approximately 1 meter and is classified as a self-supporting organism, lacking any climbing or vining tendencies. It is strictly a terrestrial species, neither aquatic nor epiphytic, growing independently in its environment without any parasitic relationship to other plants.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Smallanthus sonchiifolius is characterized by a robust metabolic framework designed for rapid vegetative growth and efficient nutrient acquisition within tropical and subtropical ecosystems. As a member of the Asteraceae family, its physiological processes are centered around a high rate of photosynthesis facilitated by broad, deeply lobed leaves that maximize light interception. The plant exhibits significant water-use efficiency through specialized stomatal regulation, allowing it to maintain turgor pressure in varying humidity levels. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with rhizobia or other nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, meaning it relies entirely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its extensive root system. Its metabolic pathways are optimized for the synthesis of bioactive secondary metabolites, such as sesquiterpene lactones and phenolic compounds, which are produced as physiological responses to environmental stressors and herbivory. Furthermore, its vascular system is highly efficient at transporting mineral nutrients and carbohydrates from the foliage to its succulent, starch-storing rhizomes, which serve as critical physiological reservoirs for energy during periods of environmental fluctuation.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Smallanthus sonchiifolius is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying on living organisms rather than abiotic factors to facilitate the transfer of pollen. This reproductive process is primarily driven by insect pollination, encompassing a diverse range of biological vectors. Specifically, the plant utilizes various insect types to ensure successful fertilization, with pollinators including bees, beetles, ants, butterflies, moths, and flies. This reliance on a broad spectrum of insect activity highlights a complex biotic interaction necessary for the plant's reproductive success and genetic dispersal.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Smallanthus sonchifolius has 1 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. European journal of nutrition
2. International journal of molecular sciences
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. Cell biology and toxicology

Chemicals

Smallanthus sonchifolius has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Enhydrin, Sonchifolin, UVEDALIN, Ash, CALCIUM.

Enhydrin

1. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry
2. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Sonchifolin

1. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry
2. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

UVEDALIN

1. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry
2. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Flavonoids

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Fluctuanin

1. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

PHOSPHORUS

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Smallanthus sonchifolius has 213 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Chemopreventive, Cytoprotective.

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of molecular sciences

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of molecular sciences

Chemopreventive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Cytoprotective

1. Biomedical papers of the Medical Faculty of the University Palacky, Olomouc, Czechoslovakia
2. Cell biology and toxicology

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Smallanthus sonchifolius has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Alzheimer's disease, Depression, arteriosclerosis, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia.

Alzheimer's disease

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Depression

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Arteriosclerosis

1. European journal of nutrition

Hyperglycemia

1. Biomedical papers of the Medical Faculty of the University Palacky, Olomouc, Czechoslovakia

Hypoglycemia

1. European journal of nutrition

Oxidative damage

1. Cell biology and toxicology

Oxidative injury

1. European journal of nutrition

Preparations

Smallanthus sonchifolius has 6 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extract, aqueous leaf extracts, leaf methanol extracts, medicinal tea, medicinal teas.

Aqueous extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aqueous leaf extracts

1. Cell biology and toxicology

Leaf methanol extracts

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Medicinal tea

1. European journal of nutrition

Medicinal teas

1. Cell biology and toxicology

Methanolic extract

1. Data in brief