Littleleaf Elephant Tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Littleleaf Elephant Tree
• elephant-tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Terebinthus microphylla
• Elaphrium microphyllum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Sapindales, placing it in the family Burseraeaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Bursera, specifically as the species Bursera microphylla.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across specific regions of the Southwestern United States and Mexico. In the United States, its presence is noted within the states of Arizona and California. Moving south, the species extends into various parts of Mexico. Specifically, it can be found throughout the Northeast region of Mexico. Additionally, its range covers the Northwest territory of the country.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Bursera microphylla is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years. As a long-lived woody plant, it undergoes a continuous cycle of growth, maturation, and seasonal adaptation. Its lifecycle is defined by a sustained existence that transcends the single-season patterns of annuals or the two-year cycles of biennials, instead focusing on long-term survival and periodic reproduction. This perennial nature enables the plant to establish a robust structural foundation, which it utilizes to navigate environmental fluctuations and maintain its presence within its ecological niche throughout multiple growing seasons.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Bursera microphylla is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as both a tree and a shrub. This plant typically reaches a mean height of approximately 5 meters and functions as a self-supporting organism rather than a climber. It is a terrestrial species that grows independently, showing no parasitic tendencies. Its structural composition is predominantly woody, providing the necessary stability for its upright development in its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bursera microphylla is characterized by a specialized metabolic framework adapted to arid environments, primarily utilizing a C3 photosynthetic pathway. In this process, carbon dioxide is fixed directly by the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle, which is typical for most woody dicots, though the plant exhibits significant physiological adaptations to manage the inherent water loss associated with this pathway in dry habitats. To mitigate transpiration, the plant employs succulent tissues and a highly regulated stomatal control mechanism, allowing it to maintain metabolic activity while minimizing moisture depletion. This physiological strategy balances the need for gas exchange required for C3 carbon fixation with the necessity of water conservation, enabling survival in seasonal drought conditions.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bursera microphylla is characterized by specific seed morphological and dispersal traits that facilitate its propagation within its ecosystem. The seeds produced by this species exhibit a highly uniform mass, with a mean, maximum, and minimum seed mass all measured at 0.03246 g, indicating a lack of significant variation in individual seed weight. Regarding its reproductive strategy, the plant utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning it relies on animals to aid in the movement and distribution of its seeds away from the parent plant.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Seed mass mean:

0.03246 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Bursera microphylla has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Kaempferol rhamnoside, quercetin rhamnoside.

Kaempferol rhamnoside

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

quercetin rhamnoside

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Bursera microphylla has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antiproliferative.

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiproliferative

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Bursera microphylla has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include inflammation.

Inflammation

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Bursera microphylla has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic extracts from the fruit and stem.

Ethanolic extracts from the fruit and stem

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)