Clusia flava

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Icostegia flava
• Clusia suborbicularis
• Clusia flava var. brownei
• Clusia flava var. sloanei

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 Malpighiales, it is classified under the family Clusiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Clusia, specifically as the species Clusia flava.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range across several key regions of North and Central America. Within Mexico, its presence is recorded in the Northeast, the Gulf region, and the Southeast. Additionally, the species can be found extending into the Southwest part of the country. Moving southward, its distribution continues into the tropical landscapes of Central America. Specifically, the plant is known to inhabit the territory of Belize.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Clusia flava is primarily defined by its occurrence within the dense, complex layers of the forest ecosystem. As a constituent of this forest habitat, the species plays a vital role in the structural and biological dynamics of its environment, often navigating the competition for light and resources inherent to woodland settings. Its presence within the forest dictates specific interactions with local soil compositions, moisture levels, and the diverse community of flora and fauna that characterize these shaded or semi-shaded landscapes. Through its integration into the forest strata, Clusia flava contributes to the overall nutrient cycling and provides niche habitats that support the broader ecological stability of the forest biome.

Habitat :

forest

Life history

The life history of Clusia flava is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. As a long-lived plant, it establishes a stable presence in its habitat, undergoing continuous growth and development over many years. Its biological cycle involves a sustained period of vegetative maturation, followed by recurring reproductive phases that enable it to contribute to the population density over an extended duration. This perennial strategy ensures that the plant can endure environmental fluctuations and maintain a consistent lifecycle that spans much longer than annual or biennial species.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Clusia flava is characterized by a woody structure and a growth form that primarily manifests as a tree, though it can also present as a shrub. This plant is a self-supporting, terrestrial species that does not function as a climber, epiphyte, or parasite, maintaining an independent life cycle. It typically reaches a mean plant height of approximately 7 m and is strictly terrestrial rather than aquatic or semiaquatic in its habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

7 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Clusia flava is characterized by specialized metabolic adaptations that allow it to thrive in nutrient-variable tropical environments. As a woody evergreen species, it maintains a robust photosynthetic apparatus capable of managing high light intensities and fluctuating humidity levels. A key physiological distinction of this species is its relationship with soil nutrients; specifically, regarding its ability to enhance soil fertility through symbiotic associations, it is not a nitrogen fixer. Unlike leguminous plants that host nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root nodules to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, Clusia flava relies on the uptake of existing nitrogenous compounds from the soil profile. Its internal resource management focuses on efficient water use and the production of secondary metabolites, such as resins and various phytochemicals, which serve physiological roles in defense against herbivory and pathogens, as well as in regulating transpiration through controlled stomatal conductance.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Clusia flava 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Clusia flava has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include MeOH.

MeOH

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Clusia flava has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include MeOH bark extracts.

Meoh bark extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology