Byrsonima verbascifolia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Malpighia verbascifolia
• Malpighia bicolor
• Byrsonima verbascifolia var. angustifolia
• Byrsonima verbascifolia f. brasiliensis
• Byrsonima verbascifolia var. denudata
• Byrsonima verbascifolia subsp. discolor
• Byrsonima verbascifolia f. discolor
• Byrsonima verbascifolia var. intermedia
• Byrsonima verbascifolia var. latifolia
• Byrsonima verbascifolia f. leiocarpa
• Byrsonima verbascifolia var. leiocarpa
• Byrsonima verbascifolia var. paraguayensis
• Byrsonima verbascifolia var. petiolata
• Byrsonima verbascifolia f. spathulata
• Byrsonima verbascifolia var. spatulifolia
• Byrsonima verbascifolia subsp. villosa
• Byrsonima verbascifolia var. villosa
• Byrsonima spathulifolia
• Byrsonima latifolia

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. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales, it is situated in the family Malpighiaceae. Specifically, it is categorized under the genus Byrsonima, where it is known by the species name Byrsonima verbasciifolia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions of the Americas. In Central America, its presence is documented within the countries of Honduras and Nicaragua. Moving toward the Caribbean, the species can be found in the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Its range also extends into Northern South America, where it inhabits the territory of French Guiana. Finally, the plant is recorded as occurring within the borders of Guyana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Byrsonima verbascifolia is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse range of specialized ecosystems and varying topographic gradients. It is commonly found inhabiting distinct biomes and formations, including Campinarana, Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (latu sensu), Restinga, and the Amazonian Savanna (Savaana Amazônica). This adaptability allows the species to occupy a wide altitudinal spectrum, with an elevational range spanning from a minimum of 100 m AMSL to a maximum of 1700 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campinarana, Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (lato sensu), Restinga, Savana Amazônica

Life history

The life history of Byrsonima verbascifolia is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth and survival strategy, it exhibits a dual classification of life forms, functioning as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte. This indicates that while the plant possesses significant aerial structures, its primary regenerative organs and growth habit are maintained close to the ground or at a very low height relative to the soil surface.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Byrsonima verbascifolia is characterized by a woody growth form that ranges from a subshrub to a tree. It is a self-supporting plant, functioning independently without the need for climbing or parasitic mechanisms. In its natural habitat, it is a terrestrial species and does not exhibit epiphytic behavior. The plant's stature is substantial, reaching an average height of approximately 4 m, with the potential to attain a maximum height of up to 6 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6 m

Plant height mean:

4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Byrsonima verbascifolia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and metabolic energy production. This metabolic route involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle, a common mechanism in many woody shrub species that dictates its water-use efficiency and growth patterns in specific environmental conditions. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the surrounding soil to satisfy its nutritional requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Byrsonima verbascifolia is facilitated through the production of seeds that exhibit highly consistent morphological characteristics. The reproductive output is characterized by a uniform seed size, with a measured seed volume that remains constant across samples. Specifically, the seed volume maintains a minimum, maximum, and mean value of 540 mm³, indicating a lack of variance in the volumetric dimensions of the seeds produced. This precise uniformity in seed volume suggests a stabilized reproductive mechanism within the species, ensuring that each seed carries a consistent physical capacity for germinating and establishing new individuals.

Seed volume max:

540 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Byrsonima verbascifolia has 1 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.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. International immunopharmacology
3. Journal of natural medicines

Chemicals

Byrsonima verbascifolia has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Coumarins, Proanthocyanidins, Saponins, Tannins.

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Journal of natural medicines

Coumarins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Proanthocyanidins

1. Journal of natural medicines

Saponins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Tannins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Terpenes

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

doxorubicin

1. Genetics and molecular research : GMR

Activities

Byrsonima verbascifolia has 4 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antimutagenic, Antioxidant, Diuretic.

Antimicrobial

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antimutagenic

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antioxidant

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Diuretic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Byrsonima verbascifolia has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diarrhea, Chagas disease, bronchitis, cough, fever.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations