Aspidosperma rigidum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aspidosperma subumbellatum
• Aspidosperma rawolfioides
• Aspidosperma laxiflorum
• Aspidosperma jaunechense
• Aspidosperma acreanum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianales, it is classified under the family Apocynaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Aspidosperma, specifically as the species Aspidosperma rigidum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning across several regions of the Americas. In Central America, its presence can be documented within the borders of Costa Rica. Moving into Northern South America, the species is found throughout Venezuela. Its distribution extends significantly into Western South America, where it inhabits the territories of Colombia and Ecuador. Furthermore, the plant can also be located as far south as Bolivia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Aspidosperma rigidum is characterized by its occurrence within specific forest ecosystems, primarily inhabiting Floresta de Terra Firme and Floresta de Várzea environments. This species thrives across a diverse altitudinal gradient, occupying an elevational range that extends from a minimum of 100 m AMSL to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta de Várzea

Life history

The life history of Aspidosperma rigidum is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem over many successive growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive shoots are elevated above the ground, typically manifesting as a woody structure that allows it to maintain dominance within its habitat. Furthermore, the plant exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally, which contributes to its continuous physiological activity and stable life form.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Aspidosperma rigidum is characterized by its stature as a large, woody tree that can reach a significant height, with a mean height of approximately 30 m and a maximum potential height of up to 40 m. As a terrestrial plant, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. The species is an independent organism, functioning without parasitic behavior, and is classified as a self-supporting growth form rather than a liana, vine, or climbing plant. Its structural integrity is defined by its woody nature, providing the necessary support for its substantial vertical development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

40 m

Plant height mean:

30 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Aspidosperma rigidum is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide during the light-independent reactions. This metabolic process indicates that the plant does not employ C4 or CAM pathways for carbon sequestration, relying instead on the enzyme RuBisCO for carboxylation. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, and instead depends on the uptake of nitrates or ammonium from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Aspidosperma rigidum is driven by biotic mechanisms, characterized by a complex pollination strategy. The plant relies on biotic pollination syndromes, specifically utilizing insect vectors to facilitate the transfer of pollen between flowers. Within this reproductive process, insect pollination plays a central role, with various insect types serving as the primary agents for successful fertilization.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Aspidosperma rigidum has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Tubotaiwine.

Tubotaiwine

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Conditions

Aspidosperma rigidum has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Leishmania infantum, malaria.

Leishmania infantum

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Malaria

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology