knock-me-back

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• knock-me-back
• cudjoewood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Jacquinia macrocarpa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ericales, it is further categorized into the family Primulaceae. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Bonelliia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution that spans across multiple continents and regions. In the Indo-China region, its presence is specifically noted within Vietnam. Moving toward the Americas, it can be found in the Southeastern United States, particularly in the state of Florida. Within Mexico, the species is widely distributed across the Central, Northeastern, and Gulf regions. Collectively, these locations highlight a broad range for Bonelliia macrocarpa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bonellia macrocarpa is characterized by its distribution across a diverse altitudinal gradient, allowing it to inhabit a variety of environmental niches. It is found within an elevational range starting from sea level at 0 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL. This wide vertical distribution suggests an ability to adapt to varying climatic conditions, ranging from lowland tropical or subtropical zones to mid-elevation habitats. Such ecological flexibility enables the species to interact with different soil compositions, moisture levels, and microclimates found throughout these varying altitudes.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Bonelliia macrocarpa is characterized by its status as a perennial species, meaning it maintains its vegetative presence over multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. This perennial nature allows the plant to establish a stable presence within its ecological niche, enabling it to accumulate resources over time to support reproductive efforts across different years. As a perennial, its growth pattern typically involves a cycle of seasonal development where it can withstand periods of dormancy or slower growth, eventually producing the large-fruited structures for which it is named to ensure the continuation of its lineage through successive generations.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Bonellia macrocarpa is characterized by a woody growth form, functioning primarily as a tree that can reach a maximum plant height of 10 meters. It is a self-supporting plant, categorized as both a self-supporting climber and a non-obligatory climber, meaning it does not require external structures for its upright posture. While its habitat range spans across aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial environments, it is fundamentally classified as a terrestrial species rather than an epiphyte. Furthermore, the plant is an independent organism, exhibiting no parasitic behavior toward other species.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bonellia macrocarpa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process and metabolic efficiency within its specific ecological niche. Structural physiological parameters are further defined by its stem morphology, specifically regarding its Stem Specific Density (SSD). The plant exhibits a highly uniform structural composition, as evidenced by a consistent Stem Specific Density (SSD) across all measurements, with an SSD_min, SSD_mean, and SSD_max all recorded at a singular value of 810 mg/cm³. This lack of density variation suggests a highly standardized distribution of lignified tissues and cellular structures throughout the stem, contributing to a stable mechanical framework.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) min:

810 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bonellia macrocarpa is characterized by specific seed morphological traits and a distinct dispersal strategy. The seeds produced by this plant exhibit high uniformity in size, with a consistent seed length of 5.02 mm, as both the minimum and maximum measured lengths converge at this value. In terms of mass, the seeds show more variability, ranging from a minimum of 0.0316 g to a maximum of 0.0748 g, with an average seed mass of approximately 0.0434 g. Regarding the movement of offspring, the plant utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning its seeds are primarily spread by animals, although the reproductive potential may involve other modes such as anemochorous, autochorous, hydrochorous, or unspecialized dispersal mechanisms.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Seed length mean:

5.02 mm

Seed mass max:

0.0748 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0434333335 g

Seed mass min:

0.0316 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Bonellia macrocarpa has 3 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root, stem.

Leaf

1. PloS one

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Bonellia macrocarpa has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiestrogenic, Antioxidant, Antiproliferative.

Antiestrogenic

1. BioMed research international

Antioxidant

1. BioMed research international

Antiproliferative

1. BioMed research international

Conditions

Bonellia macrocarpa has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer

1. BioMed research international