Aspidosperma pyrifolium

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aspidosperma refractum
• Macaglia martii
• Macaglia populifolia
• Aspidosperma martii
• Aspidosperma pyrifolium var. molle
• Aspidosperma molle
• Macaglia pyrifolia
• Aspidosperma guaraniticum
• Macaglia refracta
• Aspidosperma populifolium

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 its genus, Aspidosperma, and its specific species name, Aspidosperma pyrifolium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions of South America. It is notably found within the borders of Bolivia in Western South America. In Brazil, its presence is extensive, spanning across the North and Northeast regions. Furthermore, the species is widely distributed throughout the West-Central areas of Brazil. Finally, its geographical reach extends into the Southeast portion of the Brazilian territory.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Aspidosperma pyrifolium is characterized by its adaptation to diverse and often challenging Brazilian biomes, specifically occurring within the Caatinga (strictu sensu), the Cerrado (lato sensu), and in specialized vegetation found on rocky outcrops (Vegetação Sobre Afloramentos Rochosos). This species demonstrates a broad vertical distribution across the landscape, occupying an elevational range that extends from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 500 m AMSL. This ability to thrive in both semi-arid scrublands and savanna-like environments, as well as on specialized rocky substrates, highlights its ecological versatility within these distinct ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Vegetação Sobre Afloramentos Rochosos

Life history

The life history of Aspidosperma pyrifolium is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive buds are elevated above the ground on woody stems, a growth habit that classifies it under both phanerophyte life form designations. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, meaning it undergoes a seasonal shedding of its leaves as part of its natural growth cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Aspidosperma pyrifolium is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that functions as a self-supporting structure. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit epiphytic or aquatic habits, growing independently rather than as a parasite. The plant reaches a significant stature, with a mean height of approximately 7 meters, though it can attain a maximum height of up to 14 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

14 m

Plant height mean:

7 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Aspidosperma pyrifolium is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme RuBisCO. This metabolic strategy dictates its efficiency in gas exchange and water use, typically favoring environments where moisture is sufficient to prevent photorespiration. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms; instead, it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system to meet its nutritional requirements for protein and nucleic acid synthesis.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Aspidosperma pyrifolium is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, indicating that the plant relies on living organisms rather than abiotic factors like wind or water to facilitate the transfer of pollen. This reproductive process is primarily driven by insect pollination, involving various insect vectors to ensure successful fertilization. Within this biological framework, the plant utilizes a range of specific insect interactions, specifically engaging pollinators such as bees, beetles, ants, butterflies, moths, and flies to achieve cross-pollination.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Aspidosperma pyrifolium 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 stem.

Stem

1. Malaria journal

Chemicals

Aspidosperma pyrifolium has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include leucoridine B.

leucoridine B

1. Malaria journal

Preparations

Aspidosperma pyrifolium has 9 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include alkaloid-rich and ethyl acetate fractions from stem extract, alkaloidic-rich fraction from stem extract, crude bark extracts, crude extracts, crude stem bark extract.

Alkaloid-rich and ethyl acetate fractions from stem extract

1. Malaria journal

Alkaloidic-rich fraction from stem extract

1. Malaria journal

Crude bark extracts

1. Malaria journal

Crude extracts

1. Malaria journal

Crude stem bark extract

1. Malaria journal

Extracts

1. Malaria journal

Fractionated extracts

1. Malaria journal

Fractions

1. Malaria journal

Organic and alkaloidic-rich fractions from stem extract

1. Malaria journal