Mexican handplant

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Mexican handplant
• devil's-hand-tree
• Mexican hand tree
• Monkey's hand tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cheirostemon apetalus
• Cheirostemon platanoides
• Chiranthodendron platanoides

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Malvales, it is a member of the family Malvaceae. Finally, it is classified under the genus Chiranthodendron.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Chiranthodendron pentaecandlon, is native to several diverse regions throughout Mexico. Its presence is recorded across the central part of the country, specifically within Mexico Central. Furthermore, it can be found spanning the northeastern territories known as Mexico Northeast. The species also extends its range into the coastal areas of Mexico Gulf. Finally, its distribution reaches into the southern portions of the nation, including Mexico Southwest and Mexico Southeast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Chiranthodendron pentadactylon is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring a long-lasting presence within its natural ecosystem. It maintains an evergreen habit, retaining its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally. This continuous vegetative state supports its long-term survival and reproductive cycles, allowing the species to persist across multiple years through stable growth patterns.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Chiranthodendron pentadactylon is characterized by its growth form as a large, woody tree that can reach a mean plant height of approximately 25 m. This species is a self-supporting, independent organism that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, nor does it exhibit parasitic or epiphytic behavior, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. Its structural integrity is defined by its woody nature, providing the necessary support for its substantial stature within its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Chiranthodendron pentaacylon is characterized by its specialized metabolic processes and structural adaptations suited for tropical forest environments. As a woody angiosperm, its primary physiological function involves complex photosynthetic pathways to support its large, leathery leaves and significant biomass production. A key aspect of its nutrient acquisition strategy is its relationship with the soil; however, based on physiological classifications, it is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (such as Rhizobium) required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. Instead, the plant relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its extensive root system. Its reproductive physiology is uniquely adapted to facilitate pollination, involving the production of nectar and the development of distinct, hand-shaped flowers that utilize specific physiological cues to attract avian pollinators. Furthermore, its secondary metabolism is highly active, synthesizing various bioactive compounds, such as alkaloids and polyphenols, which serve defensive physiological roles against herbivory and pathogens.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Chiranthodendron pentadactylon 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 flower.

Flower

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Pharmacognosy magazine

Chemicals

Chiranthodendron pentadactylon has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (-)-Epicatechin, Epicatechin, (+)-catechin, Astragalin, Isoquercitrin.

(-)-Epicatechin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Pharmacognosy magazine

Epicatechin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Pharmacognosy magazine

(+)-catechin

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Astragalin

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Isoquercitrin

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Tiliroside

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Activities

Chiranthodendron pentadactylon has 3 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antiprotozoal.

Antibacterial

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Antimicrobial

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Antiprotozoal

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Conditions

Chiranthodendron pentadactylon has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Entamoeba histolytica, diarrhea, dysentery, gastrointestinal disorders.

Entamoeba histolytica

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Diarrhea

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Dysentery

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Gastrointestinal disorders

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Chiranthodendron pentadactylon has 6 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Aqueous and methanolic extracts, Chiranthodendron pentadactylon extract, Methanolic extracts, aqueous and methanolic extracts, extracts.

Aqueous and methanolic extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chiranthodendron pentadactylon extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Methanolic extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aqueous and methanolic extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Methanol extract of c. pentadactylon

1. Pharmacognosy magazine