Casearia arborea

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Samyda arborea

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 Malpighiales, it is classified under the family Salicaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Casearia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical presence across various regions of Mexico. In the northern parts of its range, it can be found throughout the Mexico Southwest. It also populates the coastal areas of the Mexico Gulf and extends into the Mexico Southeast. Moving further south, its distribution continues into Central America, specifically within Belize. Finally, the species reaches its southern limits in Costa Rica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Casearia arborea is characterized by its remarkable adaptability across a diverse array of South American biomes and varying topographical gradients. It thrives in a wide range of habitats, including Cerrado (latu sensu), Ciliar Forest (or Gallery Forest), Terra Firme Forest, Deciduous Seasonal Forest, Semi-deciduous Seasonal Forest, and Ombrophilous (Pluvial) Forest. This broad ecological plasticity allows the species to inhabit both seasonally dry environments and humid, high-rainfall forest systems. Furthermore, the species exhibits a significant altitudinal distribution, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to elevations of 1850 m AMSL, enabling it to occupy various ecological niches from lowland tropical plains to montane forest regions.

Elevational range max:

1850 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Casearia arborea is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to establish a long-term presence within its ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. Throughout its existence, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that it retains its foliage year-round rather than undergoing seasonal shedding. This combination of a multi-year life cycle and continuous leaf retention supports its sustained physiological activity and structural development over time.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Casearia arborea is characterized by its woody structure and versatile growth forms, manifesting as both a tree and a shrub. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it maintains an independent existence without acting as a parasite. It is a terrestrial species, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant vertical development, reaching a maximum height of 23 m, with an average plant height of approximately 6.05 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

23 m

Plant height mean:

6.05 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Casearia arborea is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits a specific leaf dry matter content (LDMC) of 339.4 mg/g, a consistent value across its recorded mean, minimum, and maximum parameters, reflecting its structural investment in leaf tissue density. Furthermore, Casearia arborea does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on available soil nitrogen rather than symbiotic nitrogen-fixing mechanisms to support its growth and nutritional requirements.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

339.4 mg/g

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Casearia arborea is characterized by a specific set of seed morphological traits and a specialized dispersal mechanism. The species utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to facilitate the movement of its seeds. The seeds themselves are notably small and lightweight, with a consistent seed mass recorded at 0.00165 g, representing both the minimum, maximum, and mean values. In terms of dimensions, the seeds exhibit a length that ranges from a minimum of 1 mm to a maximum of 6 mm.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Seed length max:

6 mm

Seed length min:

1 mm

Seed mass mean:

0.00165 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Root

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Casearia arborea has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Casearborin A, Casearborin B, Casearborin C, Casearborin D, Casearborin E.

Casearborin A

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Casearborin B

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Casearborin C

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Casearborin D

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Casearborin E

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Cucurbitacin B

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Activities

Casearia arborea has 8 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antigibberellin, Antihepatotoxic, Antiinflammatory, Antitumor, Cancer-Preventive.

Antigibberellin

1. Dr. Duke

Antihepatotoxic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke

Cancer-Preventive

1. Dr. Duke

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke

Insectifuge

1. Dr. Duke

Insectiphile

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations

Casearia arborea has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include dichloromethane-methanol extract of the roots.

Dichloromethane-methanol extract of the roots

1. Journal of natural products