Amanoa oblongifolia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range across several regions of the South American continent. In Northern South America, its presence is specifically documented within the borders of Venezuela. Moving toward the western part of the continent, the species can be found in Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia. Additionally, its distribution extends into the northern territories of Brazil. Together, these locations highlight the diverse habitats where this medicinal species thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Amanoa oblongifolia is defined by its adaptability to diverse wetland and seasonal environments, specifically occupying habitats such as Cerrado (latu sensu), Floresta de Igapó, and Floresta de Várzea. This species thrives within varying hydrological conditions, ranging from the seasonally flooded forests to the more stable environments of the Cerrado. Its distribution is further characterized by a specific altitudinal gradient, as it is found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 90 m AMSL to a maximum of 600 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

90 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta de Igapó, Floresta de Várzea

Life history

The life history of Amanoa oblongifolia is characterized by its distinct growth strategies and structural classifications within its ecological niche. In terms of its physical stature and survival mechanism, the plant exhibits a dual classification of life forms, manifesting as a phanerophyte, which indicates that its perennating buds are located high above the ground on aerial stems. Additionally, it displays characteristics of a nanophanerophyte, suggesting a specialized growth habit where the reproductive or survival structures are held at a relatively low height, typically just above the ground level. This combination of life forms allows the species to navigate its environmental pressures, utilizing its aerial structures for seasonal persistence while maintaining a specific height profile that dictates its interaction with light and surrounding vegetation.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Amanoa oblongifolia is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a tree that can reach a maximum plant height of 20 meters. Although its ecological niche can span across aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial habitats, it functions as a terrestrial organism rather than an aquatic specialist. As a self-supporting plant, it does not exhibit climbing behaviors such as lianas or vines, nor does it act as an obligatory or facultative climber. The species is strictly terrestrial in its epiphytic status, lacking hemi-epiphytic tendencies, and it maintains an independent life cycle without engaging in obligatory or facultative parasitic relationships.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Amanoa oblongifolia is characterized by its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism where carbon dioxide is fixed directly into a three-carbon compound during the initial stage of the Calvin cycle. Unlike C4 or CAM plants that employ specialized anatomical or temporal adaptations to minimize photorespiration, this species relies on the standard enzymatic fixation of CO2 via the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells. This physiological framework dictates its metabolic efficiency and water-use patterns, as the plant must maintain specific stomatal conductance levels to balance the intake of carbon dioxide for carbohydrate synthesis against the inherent risks of transpiration and photorespiratory loss.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Amanoa oblongifolia is characterized by a diverse range of seed metrics and specialized dispersal mechanisms. The plant produces seeds with significant variability in size, ranging from a minimum mass of 0.00035 g to a maximum mass of 0.043 g, resulting in a calculated mean seed mass of 0.021675 g. Regarding its reproductive strategy for colonizing new habitats, the species exhibits a complex dispersal syndrome that is primarily anemochorous, utilizing wind for seed movement, though it also incorporates elements of zoochory, autochory, hydrochory, and unspecialized dispersal methods to ensure successful propagation across varying environments.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Seed mass max:

0.043 g

Seed mass mean:

0.021675 g

Seed mass min:

0.00035 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Amanoa oblongifolia has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Betulin, betulinic acid.

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

betulinic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Amanoa oblongifolia has 23 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Anticarcinomic.

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiedemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiflu

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antileukemic

1. Dr. Duke