Aspidosperma schultesii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aspidosperma macrophyllum subsp. morii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianales, falling into the family Apocynaceae. Ultimately, it is categorized under the genus Aspidospermum as the species Aspidospermum schultesii.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several regions of South America. In the northern part of the continent, it can be found in French Guiana and Venezuela. Moving toward the western side of the continent, its range extends through Colombia and Peru. Additionally, the species is present within the northern territories of Brazil. Together, these locations highlight its presence in both northern and western South American landscapes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Aspidosperma schultesii is characterized by its specific preference for the Floresta de Terra Firme habitat, where it thrives within stable, non-flooded forest ecosystems. This species is found within a defined altitudinal belt, occupying an elevational range that begins at 200 m AMSL and reaches a maximum of 274 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

274 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Terra Firme

Life history

The life history of Aspidosperma schultesii is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment over many growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems or branches, a structural adaptation that defines its primary life form. This species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Aspidosperma schultesii is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 30 meters. This species is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte, and it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies. Unlike climbing lianas or vines, this plant is self-supporting, maintaining a stable, upright structure without the need for external support or obligatory climbing mechanisms.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Aspidosperma schultesii is characterized by its specific metabolic and nutritional strategies. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common mechanism in many woody species where carbon fixation occurs directly through the Calvin cycle without the specialized spatial or temporal separations found in C4 or CAM plants. Regarding its nutrient acquisition, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms and must instead rely on the uptake of nitrates or ammonium from the soil.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Aspidosperma schultesii is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying on living organisms rather than abiotic factors like wind or water to facilitate the transfer of pollen. This reproductive strategy is specifically driven by insect pollination, involving a variety of insect vectors to ensure successful fertilization. The pollination mechanism is highly integrated with the local fauna, specifically utilizing diverse insect groups such as bees, beetles, ants, butterflies, moths, and flies to navigate the floral structures and complete the reproductive cycle.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Aspidosperma schultesii 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 schultesii 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