Chamissoa altissima

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide-ranging presence across several key regions within the country of Mexico. Its distribution includes significant populations found throughout Mexico Central. Additionally, the species can be located in the regions of Mexico Northeast and Mexico Gulf. The plant also extends its reach into the areas of Mexico Northwest. Finally, its geographical footprint is completed by its presence in Mexico Southwest.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Chamissoa altissima is characterized by its remarkable adaptability across diverse Brazilian biomes and a wide altitudinal gradient. This species inhabits a broad spectrum of environments, including the semi-arid Caatinga (stricto sensu), the high-altitude rocky fields of Campo Rupestre, and the expansive Cerrado (lato sensu). It is also found in more humid and seasonal forest formations, such as Floresta Ciliar or Galeria, Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual, Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial), and Floresta Ombrófila Mista. This ecological versatility allows the plant to thrive from sea level up to an elevation of 2500 m AMSL, demonstrating a significant capacity to persist in both lowland tropical forests and high-altitude montane ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila Mista

Life history

The life history of Chamissoa altissima is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. As a perennial species, it invests significant energy into establishing robust root systems and woody structures that support long-term survival and repeated reproductive efforts. This extended lifespan enables the plant to adapt to seasonal shifts and maintain a stable presence within its ecological niche, often outlasting annual or biennial competitors through sustained growth and perennial development.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Chamissoa altissima is characterized by its woody structure and a growth form that predominantly manifests as a shrub or a forb. This species is fundamentally terrestrial in its habitat, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, and it does not function as an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. In terms of its physical support and climbing habits, the plant is categorized as self-supporting rather than an obligatory climber, such as a liana or vine. Furthermore, it is an independent organism that does not exhibit parasitic behavior, relying on its own physiological processes for survival.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

Reproduction in Chamissoa altissima is characterized by specific seed morphological properties that facilitate its dispersal and establishment. The reproductive output is defined by a highly consistent seed mass, which shows no variance across observed samples. The seed mass mean is recorded at 0.003 g, a value that is identical to both the seed mass maximum and the seed mass minimum of 0.003 g. This uniformity in seed weight suggests a highly standardized reproductive strategy within the species, ensuring that each individual seed carries a consistent nutrient load for seedling development.

Seed mass mean:

0.003 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Chamissoa altissima has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, CALCIUM, COPPER, FAT, IRON.

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

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COPPER

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FAT

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IRON

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LITHIUM

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MAGNESIUM

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PHOSPHORUS

1. Dr. Duke

POTASSIUM

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SODIUM

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Chamissoa altissima has 162 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include ACE-Inhibitor, Analgesic, Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker, AntiBPH, AntiCFS.

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

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Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

AntiBPH

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCFS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCrohn's

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

AntiLyme

1. Dr. Duke

AntiMS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiPMS

1. Dr. Duke