Alchornea glandulosa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Malpighiales and the family Euphorbiaceae. Its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Alchornea, where it is known as Alchornea glandulosa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range that spans across both Central and South America. In the Central American region, it can be found growing in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panamá. Moving into Northern South America, the species is also distributed within Venezuela. Its presence extends further south into Western South America, where it inhabits parts of Bolivia. Consequently, the distribution of Alchornea glandulosa covers a significant portion of the tropical Neotropics.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Alchornea glandulosa is characterized by its adaptability to diverse forest environments, specifically thriving within riparian forests (Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria) as well as terra firme forests. This species exhibits a broad vertical distribution across various topographical gradients, spanning an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and reaches as high as 2450 m AMSL. Throughout its natural distribution, the plant maintains an average elevation of approximately 1300 m AMSL, reflecting its ability to colonize both lowland moist habitats and higher montane ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2450 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme

Life history

The life history of Alchornea glandulosa is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated structures, typically manifesting as a woody shrub or small tree where the buds are located well above the ground level. This life form is further categorized under the phanerophyte classification, ensuring its structural stability and survival through varying seasonal conditions. Furthermore, the species exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally, which supports continuous metabolic activity and photosynthetic potential.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Alchornea glandulosa is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree. This species is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte. In terms of stature, it is a self-supporting plant that reaches significant heights, typically ranging from a minimum of 4 meters to a maximum of 18 meters, with an average plant height of approximately 15 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

18 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Plant height min:

4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Alchornea glandulosa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy among many woody dicots that involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide via the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle. This pathway dictates its carbon assimilation efficiency and water-use strategies within its native ecosystem. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (such as Rhizobium or Frankia) required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil to meet its nutritional requirements for protein synthesis and growth.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Alchornea glandulosa is characterized by specific morphological and physiological traits that define its reproductive success. The plant does not exhibit self-fertilization, as the trait is noted to be absent, suggesting a reliance on cross-pollination mechanisms. The resulting fruits are classified as dry rather than fleshy. The seeds produced by this species are highly uniform in their physical dimensions, maintaining a consistent seed volume of 52 mm³ (with both the minimum and maximum values, as well as the mean, recorded at this exact measurement). Furthermore, the seeds exhibit a standardized mass, with the mean, minimum, and maximum values all documented at 0.08 g.

Fruit dryness :

dry

Seed mass mean:

0.08 g

Seed volume max:

52 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Alchornea glandulosa has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Pterogynidine.

Flavonoids

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Pterogynidine

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Conditions

Alchornea glandulosa has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include gastritis, ulcers.

Gastritis

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Ulcers

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Preparations

Alchornea glandulosa has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethyl acetate fraction.

Ethyl acetate fraction

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin