Smilax fluminensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Smilax syringoides
• Smilax syringoides var. multiflora

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Smilax fluminenis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Liliales. Furthermore, it is a member of the family Smilacaceae and falls under the genus Smilax.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across both Central and South America. In Central America, its range includes the countries of Costa Rica and Panamá. Moving into Northern South America, the species can be found within the borders of Venezuela. Its presence extends further south into Western South America, specifically inhabiting Colombia. Finally, the distribution reaches as far as Bolivia in the western part of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Smilax fluminenis is characterized by its presence in specific montane environments, primarily thriving within the habitat of the Bosque alto. This species occupies a distinct elevational gradient, ranging from sea level up to a maximum altitude of 600 m AMSL. Within this range, it establishes itself in these high-forest ecosystems, where the specific environmental conditions of the Bosque alto support its growth and distribution.

Elevational range max:

600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Bosque alto

Life history

The life history of Smilax fluiminesis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist across multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth and survival strategies, it exhibits life forms consistent with both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte classifications, indicating its ability to maintain perennial woody stems or specialized structures above the ground level to endure varying environmental conditions.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Smilax fluminenis is characterized by a woody growth habit, manifesting as a robust and perennial structure. As a liana, it functions as an obligatory climber, utilizing specialized mechanisms to ascend toward light sources rather than remaining self-supporting. While it exhibits a terrestrial ecological profile, its growth habit allows it to navigate various environments ranging from aquatic to semiaquatic zones. Furthermore, it operates as an independent organism, showing no parasitic relationship with its host plants, and maintains a strictly terrestrial epiphytic status, avoiding the specialized life cycles of holoepiphytes or hemiepiphytes.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Smilax fluminensis has 3 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome, leaf, stem.

Rhizome

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
2. Journal of cosmetic science
3. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Leaf

1. Molecular and cellular biochemistry

Stem

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Smilax fluminensis has 24 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include DIOSGENIN, BETA-SITOSTEROL, RUTIN, 2',6'-diacetyl-3,6-diferuloylsucrose, Baicalin.

DIOSGENIN

1. Dr. Duke
2. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity
3. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

RUTIN

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

2',6'-diacetyl-3,6-diferuloylsucrose

1. Journal of natural products

Baicalin

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Daucosterol

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Engeletin

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Flavonoid

1. Natural product research

Flavonoids

1. Molecular and cellular biochemistry

Activities

Smilax fluminensis has 123 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimutagenic, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, 5-HT-Inhibitor, Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor.

Antimutagenic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Experimental & molecular medicine

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-HT-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Anemiagenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations

Smilax fluminensis has 9 reported preparations identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 95% ethanol extract, CO2 Supercritical Fluid Extraction ( SFE), ethanol extract, ethylacetate extract, leaves ethanol extract.

95% ethanol extract

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Co2 supercritical fluid extraction ( sfe)

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Ethanol extract

1. Journal of natural products

Ethylacetate extract

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Leaves ethanol extract

1. Molecular and cellular biochemistry

Methanolic extract (msc)

1. Natural product research

Rhizomes of smilax china

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Root

1. Experimental & molecular medicine

Traditional organic solvent extraction method in pharmacopoeia

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials