Smilax moranensis

Smilax moranensis is a plant species in the family Smilacaceae. It is native to mountainous areas in Mexico from Sonora and Chihuahua south to Chiapas.[2][3]

Smilax moranensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Liliales
Family: Smilacaceae
Genus: Smilax
Species:
S. moranensis
Binomial name
Smilax moranensis
Mart. & Gal.
Synonyms[1]
  • Smilax acutifolia Schltdl.
  • Smilax botterii A. DC.
  • Smilax cordifolia var. papantlae DC.
  • Smilax cordifolia var. schiedeana (Kunth) DC.
  • Smilax densiflora A. DC.
  • Smilax densiflora var. chrismarensis A. DC.
  • Smilax erythrocarpa Kunth
  • Smilax glaucocarpus Schltdl.
  • Smilax invenusta Kunth
  • Smilax invenusta var. armata A. DC.
  • Smilax jalapensis Schltdl.
  • Smilax jalapensis var. botterii (A. DC.) Killip & C.V. Morton
  • Smilax moranensis fo. hispida C.V. Morton
  • Smilax moranensis var. mexiae Killip & C.V. Morton
  • Smilax moranensis var. schaffneriana A. DC.
  • Smilax schaffneriana (A. DC.) F.W. Apt
  • Smilax schiedeana Kunth
  • Smilax sylvatica Kunth
  • Smilax uruapensis Sessé & Moc.

Smilax moranensis is a trailing to climbing vine sometimes reaching a height of 10 m (33 feet). Leaves are broadly ovate, round and the base and slightly tapering toward the tip. Flowers are born in umbels in the axils of the leaves, each with 6 yellow-green tepals.[4][5][6]

Uses

The species is used medicinally throughout much of its range, under the common name zarzaparilla. It is valued for its expectorant, diuretic, and anti-inflammatory properties.[7] It is also reportedly useful in treating Type 2 diabetes.[8]

References
  1. Tropicos, Smilax moranensis
  2. CONABIO. 2009. Catálogo taxonómico de especies de México. 1. In Capital Nat. México. CONABIO, Mexico City.
  3. Breedlove, D.E. 1986. Flora de Chiapas. Listados Florísticos de México 4: i–v, 1–246.
  4. Morton, C.V. 1942. A reexamination of Mexican Smilax. Brittonia 14(3):299-309.
  5. Davidse, G., M. Sousa Sánchez & A.O. Chater. 1994. Alismataceae a Cyperaceae. 6: i–xvi, 1–543. In G. Davidse, M. Sousa Sánchez & A.O. Chater (eds.) Flora Mesoamericana. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, D. F.
  6. Ferrufino Acosta, L. 2010. Taxonomic revision of the genus Smilax (Smilacaceae) in Central America and the Caribbean Islands. Willdenowia 40: 227–280.
  7. Biblioteca Digital de la Medicina Tradicional de México
  8. Botanical On-line


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