Alibertia patinoi

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Borojoa patinoi

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Alibertia patinoi, belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, falling into the order Gentianaales. Finally, it is a member of the family Rubiaceae and is identified by the genus Alibertia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution spanning across parts of Central and South America. In Central America, its range includes the countries of Costa Rica and Panamá. Moving into Western South America, the species can also be found growing in Colombia. Additionally, its presence extends into the territory of Ecuador. Together, these regions define the primary geographical footprint of Alibertia patiinoi.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Alibertia patiñoi is characterized by its adaptation to a broad altitudinal gradient, allowing it to inhabit diverse topographical settings. This species can be found across an elevational range spanning from 0 m AMSL to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL. This distribution suggests a capacity to thrive in both lowland coastal or tropical environments and mid-elevation forest zones, where it likely interacts with various soil compositions and microclimates within these specific vertical strata.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Alibertia patiñoi is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, ensuring a long-term presence within its ecological niche. It exhibits a phanerophyte life form, signifying that its perennially growing shoots are elevated well above the ground level, though it can also be categorized under the nanophanerophyte spectrum depending on specific growth stages or environmental adaptations. Throughout its life cycle, the species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, retaining its foliage year-round rather than shedding it seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Alibertia patiñoi is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree. This terrestrial species is an independent organism, meaning it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of its stature, the plant exhibits significant variation in height, ranging from a minimum of 2 meters to a maximum of 15 meters, with an average height of approximately 8 meters. Structurally, it is classified as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber, liana, or vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

8 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Alibertia patiñoi is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process through the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate by the enzyme RuBisCO. This metabolic strategy implies that the plant relies on the opening of stomata to facilitate gas exchange, making its photosynthetic efficiency sensitive to water availability and ambient temperature. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition capabilities, the species is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms and must instead depend on the uptake of nitrates or ammonium from the soil substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Alibertia patiñoi is primarily achieved through the production of seeds contained within its fleshy fruits, which play a crucial role in the dispersal and propagation of the species. The reproductive cycle involves the development of these seeds, which exhibit notable morphological variation in size. Specifically, the seed length within this species ranges from a minimum of 6 mm to a maximum of 15 mm. This variation in seed dimensions is a key characteristic of its reproductive output, contributing to the plant's ability to establish new individuals in its natural habitat.

Seed length max:

15 mm

Seed length min:

6 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Alibertia patinoi has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Aphrodisiac.

Aphrodisiac

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Alibertia patinoi has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)