Aspidosperma desmanthum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Macaglia desmantha
• Aspidosperma chiapense f. tenax
• Aspidosperma cruentum
• Aspidosperma chiapense
• Aspidosperma matudae

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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 Gentianales and the family Apocynaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Aspidosperma.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern concentrated within the tropical regions of North and Central America. In the northernmost part of its range, it can be found throughout Southeast Mexico. Moving southward into Central America, the species is established in the country of Guatemala. Its presence continues through the region, extending into Honduras and Belize. Finally, the geographical reach of this medicinal plant concludes in the southern reaches of Costa Rica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Aspidosperma desmanthum is characterized by its occurrence within the Floresta de Terra Firme habitat, where it thrives in stable, non-flooded forest environments. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, spanning from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1490 m AMSL. Such a wide elevational range suggests a significant degree of adaptability to varying topographic conditions and atmospheric pressures within its native forest ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1490 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Terra Firme

Life history

The life history of Aspidosperma desmanthum is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the organism to persist across multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located well above the ground level, typically on branches or woody stems, which defines its structural life form. This phanerophyte classification is consistent across its developmental stages, ensuring that its vital meristematic tissues remain elevated and protected, facilitating its long-term survival within its ecological niche.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Aspidosperma desmanthum is characterized by its stature as a large, woody tree that reaches an average height of approximately 20 meters. As a terrestrial organism, it grows independently in its habitat, functioning as an independent species rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant exhibits a robust, self-supporting growth habit, meaning it does not require external structures for climbing, such as lianas or vines, but instead maintains its own structural integrity through its woody composition.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Aspidosperma desmathum is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme Rubisco. As a plant following this metabolic route, it does not possess the specialized bundle sheath adaptations found in C4 species or the nocturnal acid metabolism typical of CAM plants, making its carbon assimilation directly dependent on current environmental moisture and light availability. Furthermore, this species is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms; consequently, its physiological processes for nitrogen acquisition are entirely dependent on the uptake of nitrates or ammonium from the soil substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Aspidosperma desmanthum is characterized by specific seed morphological properties and a multifaceted dispersal strategy. The seeds produced by this species exhibit a relatively consistent mass, with a measured mean seed mass of approximately 0.649142857 g. The individual seed weight fluctuates within a narrow range, reaching a maximum of 0.7 g and a minimum of 0.544 g. Regarding the movement of its progeny, the plant utilizes a diverse dispersal syndrome; while it exhibits anemochorous characteristics, its reproductive success is supported by a combination of zoochorous, autochorous, hydrochorous, and unspecialized dispersal mechanisms, allowing for effective colonization across various environmental vectors.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Seed mass max:

0.7 g

Seed mass mean:

0.649142857 g

Seed mass min:

0.544 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Aspidosperma desmanthum has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiplasmodial.

Antiplasmodial

1. Parasitology international

Conditions

Aspidosperma desmanthum has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include malaria.

Malaria

1. Parasitology international