Symplocarpus foetidus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution that spans across parts of North America. In Eastern Canada, it can be found within the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Its range also extends further into the Canadian landscape to include Ontario and Québec. Moving south into the North-Central United States, the species is documented in Illinois. Collectively, these locations define the known habitat areas for this medicinal plant.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Symplocos foetidus is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its environment over many years. In terms of its structural growth strategy and survival mechanisms, it is classified as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or organic matter during unfavorable seasons. This developmental pattern ensures its long-term presence within its ecological niche through sustained seasonal cycles.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Symplocarpus foetidus is characterized by a non-woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a herb or forb. It functions as a self-supporting plant, meaning it does not require external support such as a liana or vine to maintain its structure. The plant typically reaches a mean height of approximately 0.61 m. In terms of its ecological niche and habit, it is a terrestrial species, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.61 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Symplocarpus foetidus is characterized by a specialized metabolic framework, most notably its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway to facilitate carbon fixation. As a C3 plant, it relies on the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) by the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells, a process that occurs during daylight hours without the specialized anatomical adaptations found in C4 or CAM species. This metabolic strategy dictates its resource requirements and environmental tolerances, particularly regarding water use efficiency and temperature sensitivity. The plant's physiological processes are further integrated with its unique thermogenic capabilities, allowing it to generate metabolic heat to volatilize odors and facilitate pollination, though its core carbon assimilation remains strictly tied to the C3 pathway.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Symplocarpus foetidus is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and distinct seed morphology. The flowering period typically commences in April and concludes in June, though the timing can be variable across different cycles. Following pollination, the plant produces seeds with a highly specific mass profile; the seed mass ranges from a minimum of 0.43375 g to a maximum of 0.43375 g, which results in a calculated mean seed mass of approximately 0.220365 g.

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jun

Seed mass max:

0.43375 g

Seed mass mean:

0.220365 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Symplocarpus foetidus has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CALCIUM OXALATE, Tannin, n-hydroxytryptamine, resin.

CALCIUM OXALATE

1. Dr. Duke

Tannin

1. Dr. Duke

n-hydroxytryptamine

1. Dr. Duke

resin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Symplocarpus foetidus has 37 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Anticariogenic.

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Anticariogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antidiarrheic

1. Dr. Duke

Antidysenteric

1. Dr. Duke

Antihepatotoxic

1. Dr. Duke

Antihypertensive

1. Dr. Duke

Antilipolytic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Symplocarpus foetidus has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis

1. Canadian journal of microbiology

Preparations

Symplocarpus foetidus has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Aqueous extracts.

Aqueous extracts

1. Canadian journal of microbiology