Snaky

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Snaky
• Spiny Hackberry

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ziziphus iguanea
• Momisia laevigata
• Mertensia iguanea
• Momisia aculeata
• Celtis aculeata var. laevigata
• Celtidopsis citrifolia
• Celtis zizyphoides
• Momisia zizyphoides
• Momisia anfractuosa
• Ziziphus commutata
• Rhamnus grangenos
• Mertensia zizyphoides
• Momisia spinifera
• Rhamnus iguanaea
• Colletia iguanaea
• Saurobroma iguanense
• Plagioceltis dichotoma
• Momisia ehrenbergiana
• Celtis epiphylladena
• Momisia iguanaea
• Celtis ehrenbergiana
• Celtis aculeata
• Celtis aculeata var. pubescens
• Celtis aculeata var. serrata
• Celtis anfractuosa
• Celtis biflora
• Mertensia citrifolia
• Celtis platycaulis
• Celtis spinosa
• Momisia platycaulis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Celtis iguanaea, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Rosalales. Finally, it is a member of the family Cannabaeae and the genus Celtis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several key regions within North America. In the United States, its presence is specifically noted in the state of Florida. Its range extends significantly into Mexico, where it can be found throughout the central territories. Additionally, the species inhabits the northeastern and gulf coastal regions of Mexico. Finally, the plant is also established in the northwestern parts of the Mexican landscape.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Celtis iguanaea is characterized by a broad environmental adaptability, allowing it to inhabit a diverse array of forest ecosystems. It is commonly found in Riparian Forests or Gallery Forests, as well as in Terra Firme Forests, Semi-deciduous Seasonal Forests, and Ombrophilous (Rainforest) environments. This versatility in habitat selection is matched by its extensive altitudinal distribution, which spans from sea level (0 m AMSL) to elevations as high as 2600 m AMSL, enabling the species to persist across various topographical and climatic gradients.

Elevational range max:

2600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Celtis iguanaea is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a life form classification that applies to both its primary structural designation and its specific growth habit. This perennial phanerophyte strategy enables the species to establish a stable presence in its habitat, maintaining its structural integrity and reproductive potential over an extended temporal scale.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Celtis iguanaea is characterized by a woody growth form that primarily manifests as a tree or a shrub. This species is a terrestrial plant, existing independently without parasitic tendencies. In terms of structural scale, it reaches a maximum height of 8 m, with a mean plant height of approximately 5.845 m. Unlike climbing vines or lianas, this plant is classified as self-supporting, meaning it does not require external structures for vertical growth. Furthermore, it is strictly a terrestrial organism, lacking any epiphytic or aquatic characteristics.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

8 m

Plant height mean:

5.845 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Celtis iguanaea is characterized by its reliance on the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism where carbon dioxide is fixed directly through the Calvin cycle without the specialized anatomical adaptations seen in C4 or CAM plants. This pathway dictates its metabolic efficiency and water-use strategies in its native environment. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, meaning it relies on the uptake of inorganic nitrogen from the soil to support its growth and physiological processes.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Celtis iguanaea is characterized by specific seed morphology and a specialized dispersal strategy. The plant produces fleshy fruits, which facilitate a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to transport its seeds. The seeds themselves exhibit significant variability in mass, ranging from a minimum of 0.00585 g to a maximum of 0.222 g, with an overall mean seed mass of approximately 0.0694916665 g. In terms of physical dimensions, the seed volume is highly consistent, measured at a constant value of 380 mm³, which also serves as both the minimum and mean seed volume.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed mass max:

0.222 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0694916665 g

Seed mass min:

0.00585 g

Seed volume max:

380 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Celtis iguanaea 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. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Celtis iguanaea has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Phytosterols, Unsaturated Fatty Acids, linoleic acid, polyphenols.

Flavonoids

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Phytosterols

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Unsaturated Fatty Acids

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

linoleic acid

1. Current pharmaceutical design

polyphenols

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Celtis iguanaea has 6 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antinociceptive, Antiasthmatic, Antioxidant, Digestive.

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antinociceptive

1. Natural product research
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiasthmatic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Natural product research

Digestive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Diuretic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Celtis iguanaea has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include gastric ulcers, Gastric ulcer, Inflammation, Pain.

Gastric ulcers

1. Natural product research
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Gastric ulcer

1. Current pharmaceutical design

Inflammation

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Pain

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Celtis iguanaea has 5 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include HE, infusion, infusions, methanolic extracts, spray-dried Celtis iguanaea hydroethanolic leaf extract.

He

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Infusion

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Infusions

1. Chemotherapy

Methanolic extracts

1. Chemotherapy

Spray-dried celtis iguanaea hydroethanolic leaf extract

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)