Strychnos pseudoquina

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Strychnos pseudochina
• Geniostoma febrifugum
• Strychnos pseudoquina var. longiflora

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 Gentianales, it is classified under the family Loganiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Strychnos.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the diverse landscapes of Western South America, with significant presence in Bolivia. Its range extends extensively into Brazil, covering several distinct ecological regions. Specifically, it can be found throughout the North and Northeast areas of the country. The species also inhabits the West-Central territories of Brazil. Finally, its distribution reaches into the Southeast region of Brazil, showcasing a broad tropical spread.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Strychnos pseudoquina is characterized by its presence in diverse Brazilian biomes, specifically occupying habitats such as Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (latu sensu), and either Floresta Ciliar or Galeria environments. This plant demonstrates a broad altitudinal adaptability, distributed across an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum of 500 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria

Life history

The life history of Strychnos pseudoquina is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its habitat through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. As an evergreen species, it maintains its foliage year-round, providing continuous photosynthetic activity and structural stability within its ecological niche. This combination of a long-lived perennial lifecycle and constant leaf retention enables the plant to establish a stable presence in its environment, contributing to its sustained growth and developmental patterns over many years.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Strychnos pseudoquina is characterized by a woody growth form that manifests as both a tree and a shrub. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semi-aquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte. The plant is an independent organism, meaning it is not a parasite, and it possesses a self-supporting climbing habit rather than being an obligatory or facultative vine. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a maximum height of 7 m, with a mean height also recorded at 7 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

7 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Strychnos pseudoquina is characterized by its complex metabolic processes as a woody climber, primarily focusing on the synthesis of various alkaloids within its tissues. Its metabolic pathways are geared toward the production of secondary metabolites which serve defensive roles, though it does not exhibit the specialized symbiotic relationships required for atmospheric nitrogen assimilation. Regarding its nutrient acquisition, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer; therefore, its nitrogen fixation status is marked as "no" in terms of possessing the biological machinery to convert nitrogen gas into ammonia. Instead, the plant relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium ions from the soil through its root system to support its structural growth and enzymatic functions. The physiological regulation of its growth is heavily dependent on environmental factors such as light availability and moisture, which drive its photosynthetic efficiency and the subsequent translocation of nutrients throughout its vine-like structure.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Strychnos pseudoquina has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Journal of natural products

Stem

1. Journal of applied microbiology

Chemicals

Strychnos pseudoquina has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 11-Methoxydiaboline, 3-O-Methylquercetin, DIABOLINE, Flavonoids, Isorhamnetin.

11-Methoxydiaboline

1. Journal of natural products

3-O-Methylquercetin

1. ACS omega

DIABOLINE

1. Journal of natural products

Flavonoids

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Isorhamnetin

1. Journal of natural products

Strychnobiflavone

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Strychnos pseudoquina has 4 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial, Antipyretic, Mutagenic, Tonic.

Antimalarial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antipyretic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Mutagenic

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Tonic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Strychnos pseudoquina has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Helicobacter pylori, cancer.

Helicobacter pylori

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cancer

1. ACS omega

Preparations

Strychnos pseudoquina has 5 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include alkaloid fraction, aqueous extract, enriched alkaloid fraction (EAF), ethyl acetate extract (SEAE), methanolic extract (ME).

Alkaloid fraction

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aqueous extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Enriched alkaloid fraction (eaf)

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ethyl acetate extract (seae)

1. Journal of applied microbiology

Methanolic extract (me)

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology