PUMAMAQUI: CHARACTERISTICS, HABITAT, ECOLOGY AND USES - BIOLOGY - 2025

The pumamaqui (Oreopanax ecuadorensis) is an endemic shrub species of Ecuador, belonging to the Araliaceae family of the apiales order. The name derives from the particular shape of the leaves, which resemble the claw of a puma.

The plant is an erect tree of medium height, the petiolate leaves are palmate with large lobes, a pubescent underside and serrated edges. The flowers are grouped in umbels, the fruits are an oval berry with dark colors and soft pulp.

Pumamaqui (Oreopanax ecuadorensis). Source: Sylvain2803

Pumamaqui wood is soft and flexible, being used for making tools and as a source of charcoal. The plant has medicinal properties that alleviate different skin conditions. In addition, it is used to reforest watersheds.

This species has a slow growth, which is why in its place of origin it is in danger of extinction. In addition to the introduction of fast-growing timber species and the increasing indiscriminate felling of natural forests for pastures and crops.

General characteristics

Morphology

The pumamaqui is an arboreal species with a woody stem with a spherical crown that reaches 5-15 m in height. The main root is of the axonomorphic or pivoting type, with abundant and deep secondary roots in charge of absorbing water and nutrients.

The alternate and lobed leaves have a long and dilated petiole at the base that is grouped at the end of the branches. The lobed shape of the leaves is an adaptation that allows it to regulate body heat around the plant.

The inflorescences of the umbelliform type are grouped in terminal racemes or panicles. The tiny flowers have oblong petals, sexually differentiated, and are arranged in slightly pubescent yellowish panicles.

The fruit is a globular or elliptical berry of dark green color that contains 3-5 seeds. The 5-7 mm seeds are soft in consistency and dark brown in color.

The wood has a slightly rustic texture, has straight and curved veins, with flexible fibers and excellent workability. It is characterized by light-toned yellow and gray colors without particular odors or flavors.

Reproduction

The propagation of the pumamaqui is carried out by methods of sexual and asexual reproduction. Of these, sexual reproduction represents a low percentage due to the low effectiveness of seed dispersal.

Asexual reproduction is carried out through the use of woody cuttings and by air layering. This mechanism favors the preservation of the uniformity, vigor and woody development of the plant, maintaining the genetic characteristics of the species.

In its natural environment it requires slightly acidic soils with effective drainage. As an ornamental it is grown in pots as an indoor plant, it is a resistant and decorative plant due to its particular leaves.

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Tracheophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Apiales

Family: Araliaceae

Genus: Oreopanax

Species: Oreopanax ecuadorensis Seem.

Distribution and habitat

Oreopanax ecuadorensis Pumamaqui Araliaceae Quito

The species Oreopanax ecuadorensis native to Ecuador is endemic to the montane forest and the high Andean forest to the shrubby paramo. It is located in the Andes mountain range at an altitude between 2,200 and 3,800 meters above sea level.

It is a frequent plant that is found in the remnants of shrubby vegetation, in living fences and along streams. The species is widely distributed in the northern part of the Andean region.

In Ecuador, the pumamaqui has been identified in the different natural parks that protect the Andean vegetation. In this regard, in the Cayambe-Coca and Cotacachi-Cayapas ecological reserves; and the spaces near the Sangay National Park and the El Ángel Ecological Reserve.

Ecology

The genus Oreopanax constitutes a fundamental piece in the ecosystems of the western and eastern slopes of the Andean mountain range, being a fundamental component of the remaining natural vegetation of the inter-Andean ecosystems.

The quality of pumamaqui wood in terms of flexibility and workability has led to overexploitation in its natural habitat. For this reason, it is currently considered a strange plant and in danger of extinction.

The pumamaqui is not grouped in dense communities, however when conditions are favorable there are small forests of the species. In this plant, the flowering and fruiting times are determined by the environmental characteristics of each ecosystem.

In the western Andean mountain range, fruiting takes place in a prolonged stage from February to April. The period of time between flowering and fruiting is approximately three months.

In the eastern Andean mountain range, the fruiting peak occurs during the month of July. However, the flowering period is continuous, locating together fruiting plants with seed production and vigorous flowering.

Fruiting takes place from June to mid-November along the Andean mountain range. Solitary trees in environments outside their natural conditions show flowering from November to April.

Applications

Wood

The soft, white and flexible wood of the pumamaqui is used to make kitchen utensils and hoes to weed the soil, as well as wash basins and decorative construction plates or turned beams.

The stem is used for the construction of fences, posts and beams used for the construction of rural houses. In addition, the plant as a whole is useful for obtaining charcoal.

Tillage

The luxuriance of the foliage favors its use as a shade tree and separation of boundaries such as living fences. In parks and gardens it is common to find it as an ornamental plant.

Reforestation

The planned cultivation of Oreopanax ecuadorensis in agroforestry practices favors the reforestation of riverbanks and river beds. In addition, it is a suitable species for the forest management of hydrographic basins and recovery of eroded soils.

Medicinal

The decoctions and infusions of the pumamaqui leaves are used in traditional medicine. Thanks to the therapeutic properties it is applied to wash wounds, bruises, rashes, ulcers and pimples; it is also useful for postpartum baths.

The infusions or tea of ​​the leaves are used as a purge to cleanse the digestive system. The steam that emerges from the direct cooking in fathoms of leaves and branches is used in traditional medicine to alleviate problems of rheumatism.

References

1. Bermeo H. Carlos S. (2014) Evaluation of three pre-germination treatments with four types of substrates and two biostimulants in the germination and development stage of the native pumamaqui species (Oreopanax ecuadorensis) in the Belisario Quevedo forest nursery, Illuchi sector, province of Cotopaxi. Technical university of Cotopaxi. Latacunga, Ecuador (Graduate Thesis).
2. Coyago M. Vinicio D. (2016). Nursery production of three forest species Acacia, Aliso and Pumamaqui, through the application of different substrates, in La Esperanza Parish of Pedro Moncayo Canton. North Technical University. Ibarra, Educator (Degree Thesis).
3. Native species (2018) Los Alisos Forest Nursery. Recovered in: viverolosalisos.com
4. Hidalgo Oña Juan Carlos (2016) Evaluation of nutritive solutions and application frequencies in the growth of seedlings of Oreopanax ecuadorensis Seem (Pumamaqui) in the Ulba parish, Baños de Agua Santa canton, Tungurahua province
5. León-Yánez, S., R. Valencia, N. Pitmam, L. Endara, C. Ulloa & H. Navarrete (eds.) (2011) Red book of endemic plants of Ecuador: Oreopanax ecuadorensis, 2nd edition. QCA Herbarium Publications, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito. Recovered in: bioweb.bio