Smilax purhampuy

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant, Smilax purhampuy, is primarily distributed throughout the diverse landscapes of Central America. Its presence is documented across several distinct nations within this geographic region. Specifically, it can be found growing in the territories of Guatemala and El Salvador. The species also extends its reach into the countries of Honduras and Nicaragua. Finally, the botanical range of this medicinal plant includes the nation of Costa Rica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Smilax purhampuy is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, allowing it to inhabit diverse topographical gradients. This species demonstrates significant environmental plasticity, occupying an expansive elevational range that extends from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 2450 m AMSL. This wide vertical niche suggests an ability to adapt to varying temperature regimes, atmospheric pressures, and moisture availability found across lowlands and montane ecosystems. Such a broad ecological amplitude enables the plant to persist in multiple forest strata and microclimates, ranging from humid tropical lowlands to more temperate higher-altitude habitats.

Elevational range max:

2450 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Smilax purhampuya is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically functioning as a shrubby liana. As an obligatory climber, it utilizes its woody structure to ascend, reaching a significant mean plant height of approximately 12 m. This species is a terrestrial plant, existing as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. Its structural development is defined by its liana habit, which allows it to navigate its environment through climbing mechanisms while maintaining a robust, shrub-like woody composition.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

12 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Smilax purhampey is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide during the light-independent reactions. This metabolic strategy involves the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate by the enzyme RuBisCO, which is typical for many woody climbing species within its genus. Furthermore, this plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Smilax purhampuy 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 rhizome.

Rhizome

1. PeerJ

Preparations

Smilax purhampuy has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include cross sections of Smilax purhampuy leaves, rhizome powder.

Cross sections of smilax purhampuy leaves

1. PeerJ

Rhizome powder

1. PeerJ