Smilax brasiliensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Smilax pruinosa
• Smilax brasiliensis var. tricapillaris
• Smilax brasiliensis var. grisebachii

Sources: Wikidata

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 in the order Liliales and is a member of the family Smilacaceae. Finally, it is identified under the genus Smilax.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across various regions of Brazil. It is found extensively throughout the North of the country, occupying much of its tropical landscape. Additionally, the species is well-established within the West-Central region of Brazil. Its presence also extends significantly into the Southeast part of the nation. Together, these areas highlight the wide natural range of Smilax brasiliensis across the Brazilian territory.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Smilax brasiliensis is characterized by its ability to colonize a diverse range of environmental settings, demonstrating significant adaptability across various Brazilian landscapes. It is commonly found inhabiting anthropic areas, where it integrates into human-disturbed environments, as well as within the specialized ecosystems of the Campo Rupestre, where it must contend with rocky substrates and specific microclimatic conditions. Furthermore, the species thrives in the Cerrado (latu sensu), navigating the seasonal moisture variations and nutrient-poor soils typical of this tropical savanna, and is also a component of the Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual, where it adapts to the distinct dry and wet cycles of seasonal tropical forests.

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Estacional Semidecidual

Life history

The life history of Smilax brasiliensis is characterized by a perennial growth strategy where its survival and structural development are categorized through distinct botanical life forms. Primarily functioning as a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its stem organs well above the soil surface, allowing it to establish a robust climbing or sprawling presence within its ecological niche. Depending on the specific environmental pressures and the developmental stage of the individual specimen, its growth habit can also be described through the lens of a nanophanerophyte, where the visible stems remain relatively low to the ground. This life cycle is driven by a perennial vegetative structure that enables the plant to persist through multiple seasons, utilizing its climbing mechanisms to navigate through surrounding vegetation to reach optimal light conditions for photosynthesis and reproduction.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Smilax brasiliensis is characterized by its woody structure and its specialized growth habit as a liana. As a climbing plant, it exhibits a facultative climbing nature, utilizing external supports to ascend rather than being self-supporting. Although it can exist in various environments, its primary ecological classification is terrestrial, avoiding aquatic or semiaquatic habitats. The plant grows as a woody shrub-like vine, functioning as an independent organism that does not rely on a parasitic relationship for survival. Furthermore, it is strictly a terrestrial species, lacking any epiphytic qualities such as being a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

facultative

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Smilax brasiliensis 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

Chemicals

Smilax brasiliensis has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include quercetin.

quercetin

1. Natural product research

Activities

Smilax brasiliensis has 4 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antirheumatic, Antisyphilitic, Tonic.

Antioxidant

1. Natural product research

Antirheumatic

1. Applications in plant sciences

Antisyphilitic

1. Applications in plant sciences

Tonic

1. Applications in plant sciences

Preparations

Smilax brasiliensis has 4 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include dichloromethane fraction, extract, fractions, methanol extract.

Dichloromethane fraction

1. Natural product research

Extract

1. Natural product research

Fractions

1. Natural product research

Methanol extract

1. Natural product research