Calycophyllum spruceanum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Eukylista spruceana
• Calycophyllum spruceanum f. brasiliensis
• Calycophyllum spruceanum f. peruvianum

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 Gentianales and the family Rubiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Calycophyllum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a notable geographical range that spans across both the Caribbean and Western South America. Within the Caribbean region, its presence is specifically documented in Trinidad and Tobago. Moving to the South American continent, the species is widely distributed throughout the western territories. It can be found growing in the diverse landscapes of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Additionally, its range extends further into the western reaches of the continent to include Bolivia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Calycophyllum spruceanum is characterized by its preference for diverse tropical forest ecosystems, specifically occurring within Floresta de Igapó, Floresta de Terra Firme, and Floresta Estacional Perenifólia. This species occupies a specific altitudinal niche, thriving at elevations ranging from a minimum of 100 m AMSL to a maximum of 380 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

380 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Igapó, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Perenifólia

Life history

The life history of Calycophyllum spruceanum is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated stems or branches that remain above the ground level, a structural strategy common to many woody species. Furthermore, it exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding all its leaves seasonally, ensuring continuous metabolic activity and survival within its ecological niche.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Calycollium spruceanum is characterized by its stature as a large, woody tree, reaching an average height of 27.5 m and potentially attaining a maximum height of 30 m. This species exhibits a self-supporting growth habit, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or a climbing liana. It is categorized as a terrestrial plant, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, and it does not function as an epiphyte. Its structural composition is distinctly woody, supporting its significant vertical development within its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

27.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Calycophyllum spruceanum is characterized by its specific metabolic and nutritional processes. It utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway for carbon fixation, relying on the enzyme RuBisCO to incorporate carbon dioxide into organic compounds during the Calvin cycle. In terms of nutrient acquisition, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form and must instead rely on the uptake of nitrates or ammonium from the soil.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Calycophyllum spruceanum involves complex mechanisms for seed dissemination and propagation. The dispersal syndrome of this species is characterized by a combination of strategies, exhibiting traits that are both anemochorous and zoochorous, alongside elements of autochory. This multi-modal approach to dispersal ensures that seeds are spread through wind movement, animal transport, and self-ejection mechanisms, allowing the plant to colonize diverse microhabitats within its environment.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Calycophyllum spruceanum has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 5-Hydroxy-6-methoxycoumarin 7-glucoside, Cyanidin, Gardenoside, TAXIFOLIN.

5-Hydroxy-6-methoxycoumarin 7-glucoside

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Cyanidin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Gardenoside

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

TAXIFOLIN

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Calycophyllum spruceanum has 6 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Contraceptive, Emollient, Free-Radical Scavenging.

Antimicrobial

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Contraceptive

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Emollient

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Free-Radical Scavenging

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Stimulant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Calycophyllum spruceanum has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antioxidant, contraceptive, emollient, inflammation, wound healing.

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Contraceptive

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Emollient

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Inflammation

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Wound healing

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Calycophyllum spruceanum has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanol extracts.

Ethanol extracts

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine