Alchornea latifolia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Alchornea similis
• Alchornea cyclophylla
• Alchornea latifolia var. islaensis
• Alchornea haitiensis
• Alchornea platyphylla
• Alchornea polyantha
• Manettia serrata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales, it is classified under the family Euphorbiaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Alchornea and the species Alchornea latifolia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several distinct regions within the country of Mexico. It can be found growing throughout the central part of Mexico, where it occupies various habitats. Its range also extends into the northeast and the gulf regions of the nation. Furthermore, the species is present in the southwest territories of Mexico. Finally, the geographical presence of this medicinal plant concludes in the southeast region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Alchornea latifolia is characterized by a diverse range of environmental conditions and specific forest associations. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 2800 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range of approximately 2100 m AMSL. Its habitat preferences are centered within various forest ecosystems, where it can be found in riparian forests (Floresta Ciliar or Galeria), terra firme forests (Floresta de Terra Firme), and floodplain forests (Floresta de Várzea), demonstrating a significant capacity to adapt to different hydrological and soil regimes within these tropical forest structures.

Elevational range max:

2800 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta de Várzea

Life history

The life history of Alchornea latifolia is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its buds well above the ground level, typically manifesting as a woody shrub or small tree. This species exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year, providing continuous photosynthetic activity and structural stability.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Alchornea latiifolia is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, reaching a mean height of 15.5 m and capable of attaining a maximum height of up to 25 m. This species is strictly terrestrial in its ecological habit, functioning as a non-aquatic and non-epiphytic plant that grows independently of any host, making it an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. Unlike climbing species such as lianas or vines, it is a self-supporting plant that does not require external structures for its upward growth.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

25 m

Plant height mean:

15.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Alchornea latifolia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. Its leaf structural composition is reflected in its leaf dry matter content (LDMC), which exhibits a mean value of 459.45 mg/g, with recorded fluctuations ranging from a minimum of 424.7 mg/g to a maximum of 494.2 mg/g. Additionally, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on external nitrogen sources from the soil rather than symbiotic atmospheric nitrogen fixation.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) max:

494.2 mg/g

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

459.45 mg/g

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) min:

424.7 mg/g

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Alchornea latiifolia is characterized by specific morphological and ecological strategies, beginning with its flowering mechanism which lacks self-fertilization, necessitating cross-pollination to ensure genetic diversity. The plant produces dry fruits that facilitate the release of its seeds. These seeds exhibit a consistent mass of 0.034 g, with both the minimum and maximum recorded values remaining at this steady measurement. In terms of physical dimensions, the seed length varies significantly, ranging from a minimum of 6 mm to a maximum of 30 mm, with a reported mean length of 3 mm. The seed volume is highly uniform, with a minimum, maximum, and mean value all measured at 35 mm³. Finally, the dispersal of these seeds follows a zoochorous syndrome, indicating that the plant relies on animals to aid in the distribution of its offspring throughout its habitat.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

dry

Seed length max:

30 mm

Seed length mean:

3 mm

Seed length min:

6 mm

Seed mass mean:

0.034 g

Seed volume max:

35 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Alchornea latifolia has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Alchornea latifolia has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Epifriedelinol, Friedelin, Taraxerol, Taraxerone.

Epifriedelinol

1. Fitoterapia

Friedelin

1. Fitoterapia

Taraxerol

1. Fitoterapia

Taraxerone

1. Fitoterapia

Preparations

Alchornea latifolia has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include chloroform leaf extract.

Chloroform leaf extract

1. Fitoterapia