About Fabiana imbricata Ruiz & Pav.
Fabiana imbricata Ruiz & Pav. is a long-lived woody shrub that reproduces via seeds and has a broad distribution across South America. Its establishment requires fire and wind, followed by high precipitation in early spring after the fire. It acts as a keystone species in its native ecosystems: during grassland colonization, it decreases species richness while also increasing fuel load, which changes the structure of the surrounding ecosystem. Traditionally, the foliage of Fabiana imbricata has been used as a diuretic and to aid digestion. Studies testing the main sesquiterpene found in its foliage have confirmed that this plant has a dose-dependent gastroprotective effect. Researchers have also developed in vitro tissue culture methods for Fabiana imbricata, to harvest its secondary metabolites for additional research.
