Caiophora coronata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Blumenbachia coronata
• Caiophora pycnophylla
• Loasa pilosa
• Loasa coronata
• Caiophora absinthiifolia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified within the order Cornales and the family Loasaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Caiophora.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to several distinct regions across Western and Southern South America. Within Western South America, its presence is documented in the country of Bolivia. Moving into Southern South America, it can be found throughout the Northwest region of Argentina. The species also occupies significant territory within Chile, specifically across the Central zone. Additionally, its distribution extends into the Northern parts of Chile.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Caiophora coronata is characterized by its adaptation to high-altitude environments within the Andean mountain systems. This species occupies a specific vertical niche, thriving across a significant altitudinal gradient that ranges from a minimum of 2000 m AMSL to a maximum of 5000 m AMSL. Such an expansive elevational range suggests a high degree of physiological plasticity, allowing the plant to withstand the varied microclimates, fluctuating temperatures, and intense solar radiation typical of high-montane and alpine ecosystems. Its ability to persist at these elevations indicates specialized survival mechanisms suited for the thin atmosphere and potentially rocky or disturbed substrates found throughout these high-altitude zones.

Elevational range max:

5000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2000 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Caiophora coronata is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it avoids the complete die-back associated with annuals, instead establishing a long-term presence in its natural habitat through the development of robust underground structures that store energy. This life cycle enables the plant to endure seasonal fluctuations and invest in complex reproductive structures, such as its distinctive floral displays, over several years rather than a single reproductive event.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Caiophora coronata is characterized by its growth form as a woody herb, exhibiting a sturdy and self-supporting structure. It is a terrestrial plant that grows independently, functioning as a non-parasitic species without reliance on a host. Unlike climbing vines or lianas, this species does not exhibit climbing behavior, instead maintaining a self-supporting habit that distinguishes it from obligatory or facultative climbers. As a terrestrial herb, it occupies ground-based habitats rather than functioning as an epiphyte in any capacity, whether as a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte. Its development is defined by this woody herbaceous nature, providing a stable, non-climbing physical presence within its ecosystem.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Caiophora coronata is characterized by the production of specialized seeds that exhibit a highly uniform physical profile. Based on botanical data, the seeds produced by this species are remarkably consistent in their weight, showing no variance between the minimum and maximum recorded values. The seed mass is precisely measured at a mean of 0.00029 g, a value that remains constant across its minimum (0.00029 g) and maximum (0.00029 g) thresholds. This lack of deviation in seed mass suggests a highly standardized reproductive output, which may play a role in the species' dispersal mechanisms and successful colonization within its natural habitat.

Seed mass mean:

0.00029 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Caiophora coronata has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1beta,3beta-dihydroxyurs-12-en-27-oic acid, isoboonein.

1beta,3beta-dihydroxyurs-12-en-27-oic acid

1. Journal of natural products

isoboonein

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Caiophora coronata has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include CH(2)Cl(2)-MeOH extract.

Ch(2)cl(2)-meoh extract

1. Journal of natural products