trumpet

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• trumpet
• trumpet-tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ambaiba mexicana
• Cecropia obtusifolia subsp. burriada
• Ambaiba obtusifolia
• Ambaiba panamensis
• Ambaiba hemsleyana
• Ambaiba costaricensis
• Ambaiba commutata
• Cecropia panamensis
• Cecropia levyana
• Cecropia mexicana
• Cecropia mexicana f. glabrescens
• Cecropia mexicana var. macrostachya
• Cecropia maxonii
• Cecropia amphichlora
• Cecropia burriada
• Cecropia commutata
• Cecropia dabeibana
• Cecropia alvarezii
• Cecropia radlkoferiana
• Cecropia radlkoferiana

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Cecropia obtusifolia, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Rosales. Finally, it is classified under the family Urticaceae and the genus Cecropia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across the tropical and subtropical regions of the Pacific and North America. Within the North-Central Pacific, it can be found growing in the islands of Hawaii. Its presence in Mexico is extensive, covering the central territories of Mexico Central. Furthermore, the species is widely distributed throughout the Northeast, Gulf, and Northwest regions of Mexico. These varied locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in different ecological zones across these areas.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cecropia obtusifolia is characterized by its presence within forest ecosystems, where it functions as a key component of the local flora. This species exhibits a broad vertical distribution across diverse landscapes, spanning an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum altitude of 1900 m AMSL. This wide altitudinal gradient allows the plant to inhabit various forest types and successional stages within these elevations.

Elevational range max:

1900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest

Life history

The life history of Cecropia obtusifolia is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to establish a long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a pioneer species, its lifecycle is marked by rapid initial growth following disturbances, where it quickly colonizes open areas to compete for sunlight. Throughout its perennial existence, the plant undergoes various developmental stages, moving from rapid seedling establishment to a mature canopy stage where it plays a crucial role in forest succession. Its longevity as a perennial ensures that it can persist in the landscape, contributing to the structural complexity of its habitat over multiple years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cecropia obtusifolia is characterized by a woody growth form, functioning as a self-supporting tree rather than a climber or vine. This terrestrial species is independent and does not exhibit parasitic or epiphytic tendencies, maintaining a strictly land-based existence. In terms of stature, the plant is a significant structural component of its environment, typically reaching an average height of 10 m, though it has the capacity to reach a maximum height of up to 25 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

25 m

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cecropia obtusifolia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits highly consistent leaf morphological traits, specifically regarding its resource allocation and leaf architecture. Its leaf dry matter content (LDMC) remains constant at a value of 280 mg/g, representing the minimum, mean, and maximum recorded values, which indicates a stable investment in leaf tissue density. Complementing this is its Specific Leaf Area (SLA), which also shows no variance across measured parameters, maintaining a consistent value of 110.5 cm²/g for its minimum, mean, and maximum. This combination of a C3 pathway with a steady LDMC and SLA reflects a specialized physiological strategy for managing light interception and nutrient use efficiency within its ecological niche.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

280 mg/g

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

110.5 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cecropia obtusifolia is characterized by the production of fleshy fruits that facilitate a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals for the movement of its offspring. The seeds are notably small and lightweight, with a mean seed mass of 0.000705 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.0005 g to a maximum of 0.0009 g. In terms of physical dimensions, the seed length varies from a minimum of 1 mm to a maximum of 6 mm, maintaining a mean length of 0.9 mm. The volume of these seeds is also quite compact, with a mean volume of 1.55 mm³, a minimum of 1 mm³, and a maximum of 2.1 mm³. These morphological traits of the seeds and the fleshy nature of the fruit are integral to the plant's reproductive strategy and successful colonization of its environment.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit type :

other

Seed length max:

6 mm

Seed length mean:

0.9 mm

Seed length min:

1 mm

Seed mass max:

9e-04 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000705 g

Seed mass min:

5e-04 g

Seed volume max:

2.1 mm³

Seed volume mean:

1.55 mm³

Seed volume min:

1 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cecropia obtusifolia has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Revista de biologia tropical
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Cecropia obtusifolia has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antihypertensive.

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antihypertensive

1. Revista de biologia tropical

Conditions

Cecropia obtusifolia has 9 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include asthma, bronchitis, antihypertensive, anxiety, cough.

Asthma

1. Pharmaceutical biology
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Bronchitis

1. Pharmaceutical biology
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antihypertensive

1. Revista de biologia tropical

Anxiety

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Cough

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Diabetes mellitus

1. Archivos de investigacion medica

Heart failure

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Inflammation

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Preparations

Cecropia obtusifolia has 3 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extract, lyophilized aqueous leaf extract, phytoextracts.

Aqueous extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Lyophilized aqueous leaf extract

1. Revista de biologia tropical

Phytoextracts

1. Pharmaceutical biology