Coccoloba mollis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution across the northern and western regions of the South American continent. In Northern South America, it can be found growing within the territories of French Guiana, Suriname, and Venezuela. Its range extends further south into the western part of the continent, where it inhabits parts of Bolivia. Additionally, the species is documented to grow within the borders of Colombia. Together, these locations define the natural habitat where Coccoloba mollis is geographically situated.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Coccoloba mollis is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and a wide distribution across varied forest types and ecosystems. It can be found inhabiting several distinct landscapes, including Carrasco, Cerrado (latu sensu), Restinga, and various forest formations such as Floresta de Igapó, Floresta de Terra Firmre, Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual, and Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial). This plant exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, spanning from sea level to significant elevations. Specifically, its elevational range starts at a minimum of 0 m AMSL and reaches a maximum of 1000 m AMSL, with an average elevational range of approximately 500 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Carrasco, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta de Igapó, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga

Life history

The life history of Coccoloba mollis is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. Its developmental rhythm is significantly influenced by its deciduous nature, meaning the plant undergoes a seasonal shedding of its foliage, typically in response to environmental stressors or specific climatic cycles. This transition between leaf-bearing and leaf-less states is a central component of its physiological strategy, facilitating resource management throughout its extended lifespan.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Coccoloba mollis is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically classified as a tree. It is a terrestrial species that functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting in its structure, rather than acting as a liana, vine, or climber. In terms of vertical dimension, it reaches a maximum plant height of 15 m, with an average height of approximately 14 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

14 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Coccoloba mollis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a fundamental metabolic process wherein carbon dioxide is fixed directly through the Calvin cycle without the specialized CO2-concentrating mechanisms found in C4 or CAM plants. This metabolic framework dictates its energy acquisition strategy and transpiration efficiency within its ecological niche. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrates or ammonium from the soil to meet its nutritional requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Coccoloba mollis is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily involving insects and specifically bees, which facilitates the fertilization process. The plant produces dry fruits that contain seeds with highly consistent physical dimensions. These seeds exhibit a uniform volume of 310 mm³, as both the minimum and maximum recorded volumes, as well as the mean volume, are centered at this value. In terms of mass, the seeds are remarkably consistent, with a minimum, maximum, and mean seed mass all recorded at 0.283 g. The morphology of the seed is further defined by a length that ranges from a minimum of 6 mm to a maximum of 15 mm.

Fruit dryness :

dry

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

15 mm

Seed length min:

6 mm

Seed mass mean:

0.283 g

Seed volume max:

310 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Coccoloba mollis has 2 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Genetics and molecular biology
2. Journal of medicinal food

Root

1. Genetics and molecular biology
2. Journal of medicinal food

Conditions

Coccoloba mollis has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include anemia, insomnia, memory loss.

Anemia

1. Journal of medicinal food

Insomnia

1. Journal of medicinal food

Memory loss

1. Journal of medicinal food

Preparations

Coccoloba mollis has 4 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic extracts from the leaves, ethanolic extracts from the roots, ethanolic extracts of the leaves, ethanolic extracts of the roots.

Ethanolic extracts from the leaves

1. Genetics and molecular biology

Ethanolic extracts from the roots

1. Genetics and molecular biology

Ethanolic extracts of the leaves

1. Journal of medicinal food

Ethanolic extracts of the roots

1. Journal of medicinal food