Aegiphila integrifolia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aegiphila guianensis
• Aegiphila cowanii
• Callicarpa globiflora
• Aegiphila integrifolia var. guianensis
• Callicarpa integrifolia
• Aegiphila integrifolia var. lopez-palacii
• Aegiphila parviflora
• Aegiphila amazonica
• Aegiphila arborescens
• Aegiphila arborescens var. breviflora
• Aegiphila arborescens var. longiflora
• Manabea arborescens

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Aegiphila.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several tropical regions in the Americas. In Central America, its presence is specifically noted within the borders of Panamá. Moving toward the Caribbean, it can be found inhabiting the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. The species also extends into Northern South America, covering several distinct territories. Specifically, its range includes the nations of Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Aegiphila integrifolia is characterized by its broad adaptability across diverse ecosystems and significant altitudinal variation. This species thrives in a wide array of habitats, ranging from anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) and specialized formations like Campo Rupestre and Restingas to various forest types, including Atlantic Forest biomes such as Floresta Ombrófila (pluvial and mixed), Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual, and Floresta de Terra Firme. Additionally, it is found in Cerrado (latu sensu), Gallery Forests (Floresta de Galeria), Amazonian Savannas (Savanas Amazônica), and seasonal woodland structures. Its vertical distribution is extensive, occurring from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to an elevation of 2300 m AMSL, demonstrating a robust capacity to colonize both lowland tropical environments and high-altitude landscapes.

Elevational range max:

2300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila Mista, Restinga, Savana Amazônica

Life history

The life history of Aegiphila integrifolia is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its persistence across multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, the species maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated branches above the ground level, though it can also be classified under the nanophanerophyte growth form depending on its specific structural development and height. Its seasonal physiological patterns include a deciduous nature, meaning it undergoes a period of leaf shedding as part of its natural life cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Aegiphila integrifolia is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as either a shrub or a tree. This plant is a self-supporting species, lacking any climbing or vining tendencies, and functions as an independent organism without parasitic behavior. In terms of its habitat and ecological niche, it is strictly terrestrial, neither aquatic nor epiphytic. The physical stature of the plant is quite substantial, with an average height of approximately 6 m, though it is capable of reaching a maximum height of up to 20 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

6 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Aegiphila integrifolia is characterized by its specific metabolic and nutritional strategies adapted to its environmental niche. The plant utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common mechanism in many tropical woody species where carbon dioxide fixation occurs primarily through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships, Aegiphila integrifolia is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized root nodules containing diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Aegiphila integrifolia is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying on living organisms to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Specifically, the plant utilizes insect vectors for pollination, with bees playing a significant role in this reproductive process. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces seeds that exhibit specific mass characteristics; the individual seed mass ranges from a minimum of 0.00296 g to a maximum of 0.00705 g, with an average seed mass of approximately 0.005005 g.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.00705 g

Seed mass mean:

0.005005 g

Seed mass min:

0.00296 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Aegiphila integrifolia has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Hispidulin, Lupeol, Pectolinarigenin, STIGMASTEROL, betulinic acid.

Hispidulin

1. Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology

Lupeol

1. Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology

Pectolinarigenin

1. Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology

STIGMASTEROL

1. Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology

betulinic acid

1. Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology

mannitol

1. Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology

Activities

Aegiphila integrifolia has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antiophidic.

Antimicrobial

1. Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology

Antiophidic

1. Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology

Medicinal Uses

Aegiphila integrifolia has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include snakebites.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations