Casearia combaymensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Casearia subopaca
• Casearia bracteifera

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is situated in the order Malpighiales and the family Salicaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Casearia, specifically as the species Casearia combaymensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is found across several distinct regions within the South American continent. Its primary distribution spans the northern part of the continent, including French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. Additionally, it can be located within the borders of Venezuela. Moving toward the west, the species also inhabits parts of Colombia. Consequently, its range covers a significant portion of the northern and western tropical landscapes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Casearia combaymensis is characterized by its occurrence in specific tropical forest ecosystems, specifically within Campinarana and Ombrophilous Forests (also known as Pluvial Forests). This species occupies a diverse altitudinal gradient, ranging from a minimum elevation of 110 m AMSL to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL, with its presence most frequently observed at a mean elevation of approximately 500 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

110 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campinarana, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Morphology

The morphology of Casearia combaymensis is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, reaching a maximum plant height of 18 meters. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte, remaining strictly terrestrial in its life cycle. The plant is entirely independent, lacking any parasitic behavior, and maintains a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

18 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Casearia combaymensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic approach to carbon fixation and energy production. Under this mechanism, the plant utilizes the enzyme RuBisCO to facilitate the initial carboxylation of CO2, leading to the formation of a three-carbon compound during the Calvin cycle. This metabolic strategy implies that the plant's physiological efficiency is highly dependent on environmental conditions, particularly temperature and moisture availability, as the C3 pathway is susceptible to photorespiration when stomatal conductance decreases. Consequently, its physiological processes, including gas exchange and water-use efficiency, are intricately linked to the ambient light intensity and humidity of its native habitat to maintain optimal carbon assimilation rates.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Casearia combaymensis 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Casearia combaymensis has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include caseamembrin D.

caseamembrin D

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Casearia combaymensis has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic.

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Casearia combaymensis has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include EtOAc-soluble extract.

Etoac-soluble extract

1. Journal of natural products