Casearia guianensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several distinct regions. In Mexico, it can be found stretching from the Gulf coast to the southeastern parts of the country. Its range extends southward into Central America, specifically within the territories of Costa Rica and Panamá. Additionally, the species is present in the Caribbean, notably inhabiting the Cayman Islands. These diverse locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in various tropical environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Casearia guianensis is characterized by its broad adaptability to diverse Brazilian biomes, including the Caatinga (strictu sensu), the Cerrado (lato sensu), Seasonal Semi-deciduous Forests (Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual), and Ombrophilous Forests (Floresta Ombrófila). This species exhibits a significant vertical distribution across varying landscapes, occupying an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum altitude of 1000 m AMSL. This wide altitudinal and habitat spectrum allows the plant to thrive in both more arid environments and humid tropical forest systems.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Casearia guianenesis is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its environment over many successive growing seasons. Throughout its extended lifespan, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and present year-round rather than undergoing a seasonal shedding process.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Casearia guianenis is characterized by a woody growth form that manifests primarily as a tree, though it can also present as a shrub. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as a climber (such as a liana or vine) nor does it act as an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. It is an independent organism, exhibiting no parasitic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant demonstrates significant vertical development, with an average height of approximately 5 meters, though it is capable of reaching a maximum height of up to 20 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Casearia guianenesis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency within its ecological niche. The plant exhibits a highly consistent leaf dry matter content (LDMC), with a recorded mean, minimum, and maximum value of 308.3 mg/g, reflecting a specific structural investment in leaf tissue density and resource allocation. Furthermore, Casearia guianensis does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available soil nitrogen rather than symbiotic biological nitrogen fixation to meet its nutritional requirements.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

308.3 mg/g

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Casearia guianenesis is characterized by specific morphological dimensions regarding its seeds, which serve as the primary unit for dispersal and subsequent germination. Detailed analysis of the seed characteristics reveals a high level of uniformity in size, with a recorded seed length that remains constant across observed samples. Specifically, the seed length exhibits a mean value of 2.4 mm, a minimum value of 2.4 mm, and a maximum value of 2.4 mm. This lack of variance in the longitudinal measurement suggests a highly standardized developmental process during the maturation of the seeds within the fruit, ensuring that each reproductive unit maintains a precise dimension of 2.4 mm.

Seed length mean:

2.4 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Casearia guianensis 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

Preparations

Casearia guianensis has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves.

Leaves

1. Journal of natural products