Cantinoa mutabilis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several different continents and regions. In Southern Africa, it can be found specifically within the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Its range extends across the ocean to the Northwestern Pacific, where it grows in the Mariana Islands. Within the Southeastern United States, the species is located in both Alabama and Florida. Finally, its presence is noted in North America within the region of Mexico Central.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cantinoa mutabilis is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and a broad altitudinal distribution. It can be found across a wide elevational range, starting from sea level (0 m AMSL) and ascending to altitudes as high as 3000 m AMSL. This species exhibits a highly versatile habitat preference, colonizing a vast array of ecosystems including anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica), the semi-arid Caatinga (stricto sensu), and various grassland formations such as Campo de Várzea and Campo Limpo. Furthermore, it thrives within the Cerrado (latto sensu) and occupies multiple forest types, ranging from Gallery or Riparian Forests (Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria) and Deciduous Seasonal Forests (Floresta Estacional Decidual/Semidecidual) to Ombrophilous Forests (Floresta Ombrófila, including both Pluvial and Mixed types).

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campo de Várzea, Campo Limpo, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila Mista, Re

Life history

The life history of Cantinoa mutabilis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural development and survival strategy, it is classified as a therophyte, meaning it completes its life cycle through a specialized period of growth that typically relies on seeds to endure unfavorable environmental conditions. This life form defines its physical presence and ecological niche, positioning it as a plant that avoids seasonal stresses by existing primarily in a dormant seed state before emerging as a seasonal individual.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cantinoa mutabilis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It functions as a self-supporting plant, exhibiting neither climbing nor parasitic tendencies, and remains an independent organism rather than an epiphyte or parasite. Primarily a terrestrial species, it does not inhabit aquatic or semiaquatic environments. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a maximum height of 1.5 meters, with a mean height typically observed around 2 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cantinoa mutabilis is characterized by its specialized metabolic processes and nutritional strategies, most notably regarding its interaction with soil nutrients. In terms of its nitrogen metabolism, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. Consequently, its physiological survival and growth depend entirely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium ions from the soil through its root system. This reliance on available soil nitrogen influences its vegetative development and photosynthetic efficiency, as the plant must optimize its nutrient absorption mechanisms to support its metabolic demands. Other physiological functions include robust photosynthetic pathways and water-regulation mechanisms adapted to its specific environmental niche, ensuring efficient biomass production despite the lack of endogenous nitrogen fixation.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cantinoa mutabilis is characterized by the production of minute seeds with a highly specific mass profile. The seed mass typically ranges from a minimum of 8e-05 g to a maximum of 1e-04 g, with the population maintaining an average seed mass of 9e-05 g. In terms of dispersal strategies, the plant exhibits a zoochorous syndrome, utilizing animals as primary agents for the movement and distribution of its seeds within its environment.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Seed mass max:

1e-04 g

Seed mass mean:

9e-05 g

Seed mass min:

8e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cantinoa mutabilis has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Caryophyllene, SABINENE.

Caryophyllene

1. Dr. Duke

SABINENE

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Cantinoa mutabilis has 33 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic, Analgesic, Antiacne, Antiasthmatic.

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiacne

1. Dr. Duke

Antiasthmatic

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticariogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antidermatitic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiedemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke