Cenostigma macrophyllum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across various regions of Brazil. Its geographical distribution spans from the northernmost territories to the southernmost reaches of the country. Specifically, it can be found throughout Brazil North and Brazil Northeast. Furthermore, the species is documented within Brazil West-Central, Brazil Southeast, and Brazil South. This extensive range highlights the plant's ability to inhabit diverse Brazilian landscapes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cenostigma macrophyllum is characterized by its presence in diverse and seasonally dry Brazilian biomes, specifically occupying the Caatinga (strictu sensu), Carrasco, and Cerrado (lato sensu) ecosystems. In these environments, the plant must adapt to varying degrees of water availability and soil compositions, ranging from the semi-arid, thorny scrublands of the Caatinga to the more open, woody savannas of the Cerrado and the transitional sandy landscapes of the Carrasco. This distribution suggests a high degree of ecological plasticity, allowing the species to thrive across different vegetation structures and environmental stressors inherent to these tropical and subtropical transitional zones.

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Carrasco, Cerrado (lato sensu)

Life history

The life history of Cenostigma macrophyllum is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons and maintains its physiological functions over a long lifespan. As a perennial species, it avoids the rapid, single-season completion of life seen in annuals, instead focusing on establishing robust structural stability and long-term resource accumulation. This extended lifecycle allows the plant to invest significant energy into developing extensive root systems and woody tissues, which support its growth and resilience within its natural habitat over many years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cenostiigma macrophyllum is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, typically reaching a mean height of 11 m, though it can attain a maximum height of up to 15 m. As a terrestrial species, it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite, maintaining a self-supporting growth habit without the need for climbing or epiphytic attachment. The plant's structural integrity is defined by its woody nature, supporting its development as a robust tree within its terrestrial habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

11 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cenostima macrophyllum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process and metabolic efficiency in its natural habitat. This plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a bioavailable form, relying instead on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds from the soil.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cenostigma macrophyllum 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 stem.

Stem

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Conditions

Cenostigma macrophyllum has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include gastric ulcers, tactile allodynia, ulcers.

Gastric ulcers

1. Journal of medicinal food

Tactile allodynia

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Ulcers

1. Journal of medicinal food

Preparations

Cenostigma macrophyllum has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include stem bark extracts.

Stem bark extracts

1. Pharmaceutical biology