Clusia paralicola
Clusia paralicola · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (1 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Clusia paralicola, scientifically known as Clusia paralicola, is a resilient evergreen shrub native to the coastal regions of the Caribbean and South America. Renowned for its thick, succulent leaves and striking floral displays, this plant offers significant ethnobotanical value, particularly in traditional practices for its diverse medicinal properties.
- Family
- Not available
- Native range
- Southern America
- Parts used
- Root
- Common names
- Not available
- Scientific synonyms
- Not available
Names and Synonyms
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Clusia paralicolaDistribution
This plant is primarily located within a specific regional territory in South America. Its geographical distribution is concentrated in the northeastern portion of Brazil. Within this area, it thrives in the unique environmental conditions provided by the Brazilian Northeast. This localized presence makes it a characteristic species of that particular coastal or semi-arid landscape. Consequently, its habitat remains closely tied to the specific ecological zones found in this part of the country.
| Region | Area |
|---|---|
| Brazil | Brazil Northeast |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Botanical Identification
Ecology
The ecology of Clusia paralicola is characterized by its adaptability to diverse and contrasting environmental conditions within Brazilian biomes, specifically occupying both the semi-arid Caatinga (stricto sensu) and the humid Floresta Ombrófila (Pluvial). In the Caatinga, the species demonstrates significant resilience to seasonal drought and high solar radiation, utilizing physiological adaptations to survive in xeric landscapes where water availability is limited. Conversely, its presence in the Floresta Ombrófila indicates a capacity to thrive in high-moisture, high-humidity environments typical of rainforest ecosystems. This dual habitat preference suggests a broad ecological amplitude, allowing the plant to navigate varying precipitation patterns, soil moisture levels, and light availability across distinct climatic zones.
- Habitat :
- Caatinga (stricto sensu), Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)
Morphology
The morphology of Clusia paralicola is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which can reach a maximum plant height of approximately 7 meters. This species is primarily terrestrial in its habitat, rather than aquatic or semiaquatic, and functions as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. Its growth habit is described as self-supporting, and while it can exhibit hemiepiphytic tendencies, it maintains a robust, woody structure typical of its arboreal classification.
- Aquatic :
- terrestrial
- Climber :
- self-supporting
- Epiphyte :
- hemiepiphyte
- Epiphyte :
- obligatory
- Growth form :
- tree
- Parasite :
- independent
- Plant height max:
- 7 m
- Woodiness :
- woody
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Plant Parts
Clusia paralicola 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 root.
| Plant part | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Root | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Root
- Journal of natural products