ipecac

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• ipecac

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cephaelis ipecacuanha
• Uragoga ipecacuanha
• Psychotria ipecacuanha
• Callicocca ipecacuanha
• Cephaelis acuminata
• Ipecacuana fusca
• Evea ipecacuanha
• Ipecacuana annulata
• Uragoga granatensis

Regional and Traditional Names

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. Within the order Gentianaales, it is classified under the family Rubiaceae and is identified by the genus Carapichea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning across several tropical regions. In the Northwestern Pacific, its presence is noted within the Caroline Islands. Its range extends into Central America, where it can be found in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panamá. Additionally, the species reaches into Western South America, specifically located in Colombia. Together, these locations highlight the diverse environments where the plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Carapichea ipecacuanha is characterized by its broad adaptability across diverse Brazilian biomes, including the Cerrado (latu sensu), Atlantic Forest (Floresta Ciliar or Galeria), Seasonal Semi-deciduous Forest (Floresta Estacional Semi-decidua), and Ombrophilous or Rainforest (Floresta Ombrófila). This species thrives within a significant altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to an elevation of 1000 m AMSL, allowing it to inhabit a variety of moisture and light regimes across these distinct ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Carapichea ipecacuanha is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its natural habitat over multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habit and ecological classification, the plant is identified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the permanent buds are located close to the soil surface, typically just above the ground level. This specific growth strategy enables the plant to maintain its biological functions and recover effectively through seasonal environmental variations.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Carapichea ipecacuanha is characterized by a growth form primarily described as a woody subshrub or herb, exhibiting a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a climber or vine. As a terrestrial plant, it does not function as an epiphyte, maintaining an independent existence without parasitic tendencies. The plant typically reaches a mean height of approximately 0.5 m, presenting a woody constitution that distinguishes its physical stature within its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Carapichea ipecacuanha is characterized by complex metabolic pathways centered on the biosynthesis of psychoactive and emetic alkaloids, most notably emetine and cephaeline, which are sequestered within the plant's root tissues. These secondary metabolites are produced as a chemical defense mechanism against soil-borne pathogens and herbivores. The plant's nutrient acquisition processes are strictly dependent on the availability of nitrogen within the soil substrate, as it lacks the physiological capacity for symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Consequently, it is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it cannot convert atmospheric nitrogen into organic forms and must rely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from its environment to support its growth and protein synthesis. Its physiological efficiency is also closely tied to the moisture levels and organic matter content of the tropical forest floor, which dictates the rate of mineral absorption and the metabolic energy allocated to alkaloid production.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Carapichea ipecacuanha has 1 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Molecular ecology
2. Frontiers in pharmacology
3. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry
4. Genetics and molecular biology

Chemicals

Carapichea ipecacuanha has 22 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cephaeline, EMETINE, Protoemetine, Ipecoside, Secologanin.

Cephaeline

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecular ecology
3. The Journal of biological chemistry
4. Plant signaling & behavior
5. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry

EMETINE

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of biochemical and molecular toxicology
3. The Journal of biological chemistry
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Protoemetine

1. Dr. Duke
2. The Journal of biological chemistry
3. Plant signaling & behavior

Ipecoside

1. Dr. Duke
2. The Journal of biological chemistry

Secologanin

1. The Journal of biological chemistry
2. Plant signaling & behavior

dopamine

1. The Journal of biological chemistry
2. Plant signaling & behavior

7'-O-demethylcephaeline

1. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry

Chelidonic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Emetamine

1. Dr. Duke

Emetin

1. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry

Activities

Carapichea ipecacuanha has 183 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Emetic, Absorbent, Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Acta biologica Hungarica

Emetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plant cell reports

Absorbent

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Amylase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Amebicide

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Carapichea ipecacuanha has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include amebicides, expectorants, ipecac.

Amebicides

1. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry

Expectorants

1. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry

Ipecac

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Carapichea ipecacuanha has 2 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Monoterpene-tetrahydroisoquinoline glycosides and alkaloids, syrup of Ipecac.

Monoterpene-tetrahydroisoquinoline glycosides and alkaloids

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Syrup of ipecac

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)