Smilax campestris

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Smilax montana
• Smilax marginulata
• Smilax rubiginosa
• Smilax viminea
• Smilax scalaris
• Smilax campestris var. marginulata
• Smilax campestris var. rubiginosa

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 Liliales, it is classified under the family Smilacaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Smilax.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several regions of South America. In the western part of the continent, its presence has been documented in Bolivia. Its range extends extensively through Brazil, covering various distinct ecological zones. Specifically, it can be found throughout the North, Northeast, and Southeast regions of Brazil. Additionally, the species is distributed across the West-Central territories of the country.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Smilax campestris is characterized by its remarkable adaptability across diverse Brazilian biomes and significant altitudinal gradients. This species inhabits a wide variety of environments, ranging from anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) and the semi-arid Caatinga (strictu sensu) to the specialized rocky fields of Campo Rupestre. It is also commonly found within the Cerrado (lato sensu), coastal forests (Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria), and ombrophilous forests (Floresta Ombrófila/Pluvial), demonstrating a broad ecological niche. Its vertical distribution is equally extensive, spanning an elevational range from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 2160 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2160 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Smilax campestris is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons via its robust underground rhizomatous system. As a perennial, it does not rely on a single reproductive cycle to complete its life span but instead establishes a long-term presence in its habitat, often forming dense, climbing thickets. Its development involves a continuous cycle of vegetative expansion through creeping stems and a seasonal reproductive phase where it produces flowers and fleshy fruits. This perennial nature enables the plant to survive unfavorable environmental conditions by storing energy in its rhizomes, ensuring its ability to re-emerge and continue its growth and reproductive efforts year after year.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Smilax campestris is characterized by its growth habit as a woody liana, functioning as an obligatory climber that utilizes surrounding structures for support. It is fundamentally a terrestrial plant, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, and maintains an independent existence without acting as a parasite on host species. The plant's structure is defined by its woody stems, which allow it to ascend through forest environments as a vigorous vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Smilax campestris is characterized by a specialized metabolic framework designed to support its climbing growth habit and survival in shaded or semi-shaded forest understories. Central to its energy production is its photosynthetic pathway, which follows the C3 mechanism; this process involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells, a strategy optimized for environments where water availability is moderate and light intensity can fluctuate. This C3 metabolism allows the plant to efficiently manage gas exchange and carbon assimilation under the canopy, though it necessitates careful regulation of transpiration to prevent water loss. Alongside this carbon fixation strategy, the plant's physiological processes include robust nutrient uptake through its root system to support the development of its woody stems and climbing tendrils, as well as complex secondary metabolic pathways that facilitate the synthesis of bioactive compounds characteristic of the genus.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Smilax campestris has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthraquinones, Flavonoids, Tannins.

Anthraquinones

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Flavonoids

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Tannins

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Preparations