| Escobedia grandiflora | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Orobanchaceae |
| Genus: | Escobedia |
| Species: | E. grandiflora |
| Binomial name | |
| Escobedia grandiflora (L.f.) Kuntze | |
| Synonyms [ citation needed ] | |
| |
Escobedia grandiflora is a plant in the family Orobanchaceae.
An erect herb, an obligate hemiparasite of roots of a variety of plants, including the families Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Melastomataceae, but with a special preference for species of the family Poaceae. [1] It has opposite, sessile, lanceolate leaves with an acute apex and a rough consistency. The flowers are axillary, long-pedicelled, large, and white. Its roots arise from the base of the stem, are cylindrical, and orange in color. As a hemiparasitic plant, it forms haustoria to attach to its hosts.
There are historical records describing a high abundance of this species in the American tropics when the colonizers arrived; there are also records of its use as a food dye and medicinal plant. This use prevailed in farming communities until the end of the last century when it was replaced by synthetic dyes and more abundant plants. Currently, natural populations of E. grandiflora have decreased dramatically, and it is necessary to assess its conservation status. [2]
E. grandiflora is distributed in the Americas, in the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela. [3]
The root contains an active ingredient, azafrin, a carotenoid with great vitaminic power (Vit. A), which produces the orange color, and it also contains tannins. [4] Unfortunately, although this species has been of ancestral importance in the American continent, it has not been well studied in its ecological requirements, chemical composition, medicinal use, among other aspects. [5]
American communities use the roots as a seasoning, to color food, and as medicine. This species is often confused with turmeric ( Curcuma longa ), which is an introduced species to the American continent to which it has adapted well. In the industry, it is used to color cheese, margarine, and butter. [5] Popularly, it is used against jaundice, hepatitis, and liver diseases. [2]
Among its common names are: root saffron, beard saffron, palillo, Andean saffron, color. In Peru, it is called mountain saffron, mountain spice, and mountain spice. [6] [7]
A study conducted in grasslands in Brazil [8] revealed significant disparities in species composition, with quadrants inhabited by Escobedia grandiflora showing higher species richness, an increase in Shannon's diversity, and greater Pielou's evenness, extending across various functional groups. Furthermore, the presence of Escobedia grandiflora correlated with a notable reduction in the percentage of dominance of plant species within the observed grasslands. These findings highlight a discernible association between the neotropical hemiparasite and the structural dynamics of grassland plant communities, indicating higher plant diversity and changes in dominance in its presence.
Rhinanthus minor, known as yellow rattle, is a herbaceous wildflower in the genus Rhinanthus in the family Orobanchaceae. It has circumpolar distribution in Europe, Russia, western Asia, and northern North America. An annual plant, yellow rattle grows up to 10–50 centimetres (3.9–19.7 in) tall, with upright stems and opposite, simple leaves. The fruit is a dry capsule, with loose, rattling seeds.
Orobanchaceae, the broomrapes, is a family of mostly parasitic plants of the order Lamiales, with about 90 genera and more than 2000 species. Many of these genera were formerly included in the family Scrophulariaceae sensu lato. With its new circumscription, Orobanchaceae forms a distinct, monophyletic family. From a phylogenetic perspective, it is defined as the largest crown clade containing Orobanche major and relatives, but neither Paulownia tomentosa nor Phryma leptostachya nor Mazus japonicus.
Pedicularis canadensis, commonly called Canadian lousewort or wood betony, is a flowering plant in the family Orobanchaceae. It is native to North America, where it is found in southeastern Canada, the eastern United States, and eastern Mexico. It has a wide-ranging natural habitat, being found in mesic to dry, forests, woodlands, and prairies.
A parasitic plant is a plant that derives some or all of its nutritional requirements from another living plant. They make up about 1% of angiosperms and are found in almost every biome. All parasitic plants develop a specialized organ called the haustorium, which penetrates the host plant, connecting them to the host vasculature – either the xylem, phloem, or both. For example, plants like Striga or Rhinanthus connect only to the xylem, via xylem bridges (xylem-feeding). Alternately, plants like Cuscuta and some members of Orobanche connect to both the xylem and phloem of the host. This provides them with the ability to extract resources from the host. These resources can include water, nitrogen, carbon and/or sugars. Parasitic plants are classified depending on the location where the parasitic plant latches onto the host, the amount of nutrients it requires, and their photosynthetic capability. Some parasitic plants can locate their host plants by detecting volatile chemicals in the air or soil given off by host shoots or roots, respectively. About 4,500 species of parasitic plants in approximately 20 families of flowering plants are known.
Brunellia is a genus of trees. They are distributed in the mountainous regions of southern Mexico, Central America, West Indies, and South America. Brunellia is the only genus in the family Brunelliaceae. As of 2001 there were about 54 species.
Magnolia espinalii is a species of plant in the family Magnoliaceae. It is endemic to Colombia but critically endangered. According to López-A et al., as of 2008 there were only 23 known surviving trees in the wild. Common names include: hojarasco, magnolio de monte.
Magnolia guatapensis is a species of plant in the family Magnoliaceae. It is endemic to Colombia. Common names include: almanegra, almanegra de Guatapé.
Magnolia hernandezii is a species of plant in the family Magnoliaceae. It is endemic to Colombia. The tree can attain a height of up to 40 m and trunk diameter approaching 1 m with smooth, light-brown or light-grey bark. It has a woody, globular fruit with up to 15 cm diameter.
Magnolia polyhypsophylla is a species of plant in the family Magnoliaceae. It is endemic to Colombia. It is known commonly as almanegra de ventanas.
Magnolia yarumalense is a species of plant in the family Magnoliaceae. It is endemic to Colombia. Common names include: Gallinazo morado, gallinazo, boñigo (Barbosa), almanegra.
Triphysaria pusilla is a species of flowering plant in the family Orobanchaceae known by the common name dwarf owl's-clover.
Magnolia jardinensis is a tree native to Colombia and endangered due to its exploitation. Common names include Gallinazo blanco, copachí and centello.
Dimerocostus is a group of flowering plants in the Costaceae described as a genus in 1891. It is native to Central and South America.
Magnolia silvioi is an endemic species of Antioquia department. Common names include: guanábano de monte, fruta de molinillo, guanabanillo.
Aureolaria pedicularia, the fernleaf yellow false foxglove, fern-leaved false foxglove, or fernleaf false foxglove, is a parasitic plant of the family Orobanchaceae. Aureolaria pedicularia is native to parts of the eastern US, the Midwest, and adjacent Canada. This plant is known for its distinct leaf shape and overall plant size. The common names for Aureolaria pedicularia come from its fern-like leaves.
Ageratina tinifolia is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is found in the Andes from southern Colombia to Venezuela, where it typically occurs in the transition zone of high Andean forests and páramo vegetation.
The Tahamí or Tahamí-Panzenú Terrane is one of the geological provinces (terranes) of Colombia. The terrane, dating to the Permo-Triassic, is situated on the North Andes Plate. The contact with the Chibcha, Arquía and Quebradagrande Terranes is formed by the megaregional Romeral Fault System. A tiny terrane is located at the contact with the Quebradagrande Terrane; Anacona Terrane.
Vaccinium meridionale, agraz or Andean blueberry, is a species in the section Pyxothamnus of the genus Vaccinium, in the heath and heather family. It is found in the mountains of Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela and may have been introduced to Jamaica. Like so‑called wild blueberries in North America, it is artisanally tended in a manner that differs little from wild growing conditions, with few inputs. Its fruit is gathered in the wild and widely sold in local health food markets and grocery stores.
Silvia Blair Trujillo is a Colombian scientist, known for her research on antimalarial compounds found in traditional plants from her country. During her research career, Blair has received various awards and recognitions, such as the Héctor Abad Gómez Medal to merits in Public Health in 1992, an honorable mention in the area of Basic Experimental Sciences in 2000, a Francisco José de Caldas Medal for University Excellence in 2008, and was named Emeritus Professor of the University of Antioquia in 2017.
Escobedia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Orobanchaceae.