Fire Star Orchid

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Fire Star Orchid

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cohniella ascendens
• Cohniella quekettioides
• Cohniella bolivianensis
• Oncidium ascendens
• Oncidium bolivianense
• Cohnia quekettioides
• Stilifolium ascendens

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Asparagales and is a member of the orchid family, Orchidaceae. Specifically, it is categorized under the genus Trichocentrum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution throughout Mexico and parts of Central America. Within Mexico, it can be found spanning from the Northeast to the Southeast regions of the country. Its presence also extends across the Mexico Gulf and into the Southwest territories. Moving further south, the species reaches into Central America, specifically within Belize. Consequently, these diverse locations highlight the wide natural range of Trichocentrum ascendens.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Trichocentrum ascendens is characterized by its preference for forest habitats, where it thrives within specific altitudinal gradients. This species typically occupies a broad elevational range, beginning at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extending up to a maximum height of 1000 m AMSL. On average, the plant is most frequently encountered at a mean elevation of approximately 400 m AMSL, reflecting its adaptation to the environmental conditions found within these forested ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest

Morphology

The morphology of Trichocentrum ascendens is characterized by its classification as a non-woody herb that functions as an obligatory holoepiphyte. Although it can be found in terrestrial environments, its primary growth habit is that of an obligatory epiphyte, often utilizing other structures for support. Despite being a climber, it is specifically categorized as a self-supporting organism, possessing the structural integrity to remain upright without being an obligatory vine or liana. The plant operates as an independent organism, exhibiting no parasitic behavior toward its host. In terms of its environmental adaptation, it can transition through various moisture-dependent states, ranging from terrestrial to semiaquatic and aquatic niches.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

holoepiphyte

Epiphyte :

obligatory

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Trichocentrum ascendens 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Trichocentrum ascendens has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Inflammatory.

Analgesic

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Inflammatory

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Trichocentrum ascendens has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include headaches, inflammation, kidney diseases, menstrual pains, toothaches.

Headaches

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Inflammation

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Kidney diseases

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Menstrual pains

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Toothaches

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Warts

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Wounds

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Trichocentrum ascendens has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Infusions made from mature or developing leaves, topical application of crushed leaves.

Infusions made from mature or developing leaves

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Topical application of crushed leaves

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)