Ceratosanthes palmata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Trichosanthes tuberosa
• Trichosanthes palmata
• Trichosanthes corniculata
• Ceratosanthes gracilis
• Ceratosanthes corniculata
• Ceratosanthes latiloba
• Ceratosanthes latiloba var. acutiloba
• Ceratosanthes tuberosa

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Cucurbitales and the family Cucurbitaceae. Finally, it is classified under the genus Ceratosanthes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is found across several distinct regions within the Caribbean. Its presence is documented in Aruba as well as throughout the Netherlands Antilles. Additionally, the species can be located within the island nation of Trinidad-Tobago. It also extends its range to include the Venezuelan Antilles. Finally, the geographical distribution reaches into the Windward Islands.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ceratosanthes palmata is defined by its presence across diverse and complex Brazilian biomes, including Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (latu sensu), Floresta Ombrófila (Rainforest), and Floresta Ombrófila Mista. This plant exhibits a wide vertical distribution within its landscape, occupying an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum altitude of 100 m AMSL. Its ability to inhabit these varied ecosystems—ranging from the nutrient-poor, rocky outcrops of Campo Rupestre to the more humid environments of ombrophilous forests—suggests a high degree of ecological plasticity and adaptability to different moisture and soil profiles.

Elevational range max:

100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila Mista

Morphology

The morphology of Ceratosanthe palmata is characterized by its non-woody structure, manifesting as a herbaceous form rather than a lignified one. In terms of its growth habit and environmental adaptation, the species is classified as terrestrial, lacking the specialized adaptations required for a purely aquatic or semiaquatic existence. While it does not exhibit climbing tendencies, it is strictly self-supporting and does not function as a liana, vine, or obligatory climber. Furthermore, it does not display epiphytic behavior, remaining grounded as a terrestrial plant rather than functioning as a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte. Additionally, the plant is an independent organism, showing no parasitic traits such as obligatory or facultative dependence on a host.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Ceratosanthes palmata has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic, Hepatoprotective.

Cytotoxic

1. Current drug research reviews

Hepatoprotective

1. Current drug research reviews

Preparations

Ceratosanthes palmata has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic extracts.

Ethanolic extracts

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine