Ampelozizipheae

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, situated within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Following the order Rosales, it is classified under the family Rhamnaceae. Its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Ampelozizyphus, specifically the species Ampelozizyphus amazonicus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated primarily within the northern regions of South America. It can be found growing across the territories of French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. Additionally, its natural habitat extends into the country of Venezuela. The species also reaches further west into the territory of Colombia. Consequently, its range is largely defined by the tropical landscapes of these five specific nations.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ampelozyzyphus amazonicus is characterized by its presence in specific forest ecosystems, primarily thriving within Floresta de Terra Firme and Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial). This species occupies a relatively narrow altitudinal niche, typically found at low elevations ranging from a minimum of 50 m AMSL to a maximum of 200 m AMSL. These habitats suggest a preference for stable, moist environments typical of lowland tropical rainforests, where it integrates into the complex structure of non-flooded or high-rainfall forest systems.

Elevational range max:

200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

50 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Morphology

The morphology of Ampelozyzyphus amazonicus is characterized by a diverse structural profile, exhibiting a woody constitution that allows it to function in various ecological niches. This species displays a versatile growth habit, manifesting both as a tree and as a shrub depending on its developmental stage or environmental conditions. As a climber, it functions as an obligatory liana, utilizing specialized structures to ascend, rather than being self-supporting. While it can inhabit various moisture gradients ranging from aquatic and semiaquatic to terrestrial environments, its primary ecological classification remains terrestrial. Furthermore, it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, maintaining a terrestrial existence, and it operates as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic relationship with its host plants.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ampelozyzyphus amazonicus is characterized by specific metabolic processes adapted to its tropical environment, though it does not exhibit the specialized symbiotic mechanisms required for atmospheric nitrogen conversion. Regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the ability to form symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria to convert nitrogen gas into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its nitrogen metabolism relies entirely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium ions from the soil through its root system. This reliance on soil-derived nitrogen influences its growth patterns and resource allocation strategies within its ecosystem, necessitating efficient root architecture to intercept available mineral nutrients.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ampelozizyphus amazonicus 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 root.

Root

1. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Ampelozizyphus amazonicus has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Betulin, betulinic acid, Lupeol, Melaleucic acid, SAPONIN.

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmacognosy magazine
3. Phytochemistry

betulinic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmacognosy magazine
3. Phytochemistry

Lupeol

1. Pharmacognosy magazine
2. Phytochemistry

Melaleucic acid

1. Phytochemistry

SAPONIN

1. Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)

Saponins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Ampelozizyphus amazonicus has 26 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial, Adaptogen, Adaptogenic, Anthelmintic, AntiHIV.

Antimalarial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmacognosy magazine

Adaptogen

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Adaptogenic

1. Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)

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

Medicinal Uses

Ampelozizyphus amazonicus has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, debility, fatigue.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations