Bursera copallifera

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Terebinthus glabrescens
• Terebinthus lanuginosa
• Amyris copallifera
• Bursera glabrescens
• Bursera palmeri var. glabrescens
• Amyris lanuginosa
• Amyris rugosa
• Elaphrium copalliferum
• Amyris jorullensis
• Elaphrium glabrescens
• Bursera jorullensis
• Elaphrium jorullense
• Bursera lanuginosa
• Elaphrium lanuginosum
• Fagara copallifera
• Terebinthus jorullensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Bursera copallifera, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae within the order Sapindales. Finally, it is a member of the family Burseraeaceae and falls under the genus Bursera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Bursera copallifera, is native to several distinct regions within Mexico. Its geographical range is notably widespread, covering a significant portion of the country's diverse landscapes. Specifically, it can be found growing in the central part of Mexico. The species also extends its presence into the northeast and the gulf regions of the nation. Additionally, this medicinal plant is distributed throughout the southwest region of Mexico.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Bursera copaillafera is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the individual to persist in its habitat over many years. As a long-lived woody species, it does not follow the rapid turnover of annuals or the intermediate duration of biennials, but instead invests in structural longevity and repeated reproductive efforts. This perennial nature enables the plant to establish a stable presence within its ecosystem, surviving through various seasonal fluctuations and accumulating biomass over extended periods to support its complex growth patterns and eventual flowering stages.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Bursera copallifera is characterized by a woody growth habit that manifests primarily as a tree or shrub. It is a terrestrial species that functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting in its structure, lacking the climbing or vining tendencies of lianas. On average, it reaches a plant height of approximately 5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bursera copaifera is characterized by a metabolic framework utilizing the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and water-use efficiency. As a non-nitrogen-fixing species, the plant does not possess the specialized symbiotic relationships required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, meaning it relies entirely on the uptake of nitrogen from the soil through its root system to support protein synthesis and enzymatic functions.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Bursera copallifera has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include acetone.

acetone

1. Journal of helminthology