mabi

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Colubrina pittieriana
• Colubrina reclinata
• Diplisca elliptica
• Ceanothus reclinatus
• Ziziphus domingensis
• Rhamnus venosa
• Rhamnus elliptica
• Colubrina fermenta
• Paliurus inermis
• Colubrina hondurensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls into the order Rosales and the family Rhamnaceae. Finally, it is specifically identified by the genus Colubrina.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution throughout parts of North America and Mexico. In the Southeastern United States, its presence is specifically noted in the state of Florida. The species is also extensively found across various regions of Mexico. Specifically, it inhabits Central Mexico as well as the Northeast and Gulf regions of the country. Additionally, its geographical range extends into the Southwest portion of Mexico.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Colubrina elliptica is characterized by its preference for lowland tropical environments, typically occupying habitats such as moist deciduous forests, secondary forests, and riparian zones where soil moisture is relatively consistent. This species thrives in warm, humid climates, often acting as a component of the understory or mid-canopy layers in forest ecosystems. Regarding its altitudinal distribution, it is primarily found at low elevations, with a documented elevational range that centers around an elevational range mean of 50 m AMSL. This positioning suggests an adaptation to coastal or near-coastal lowland plains, where it benefits from the specific microclimates and nutrient cycling processes typical of these tropical maritime-influenced regions.

Elevational range mean:

50 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Colubrina elliptica is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years through successive growing seasons. Throughout its lifespan, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that it retains its foliage continuously rather than shedding it seasonally. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and constant greenery allows the plant to maintain consistent metabolic activity and photosynthetic capacity over time.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Colubrina elliptica is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as either a shrub or a tree. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit epiphytic or aquatic tendencies, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The plant is categorized as self-supporting, meaning it does not require climbing structures such as lianas or vines to maintain its stature. In terms of vertical dimension, it reaches a maximum height of approximately 6 m, with an average plant height of 5.55 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6 m

Plant height mean:

5.55 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Colubrina elliptica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy among many woody dicotyledonous plants that involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle. In terms of nutrient acquisition and symbiotic relationships, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized root nodules containing nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Colubrina elliptica is characterized by a diverse array of dispersal mechanisms, employing an unspecialized strategy that incorporates anemochory, zoochory, autochory, and hydrochory to ensure the distribution of its progeny. This multi-modal approach to dispersal allows the species to exploit various environmental vectors, including wind, animals, self-dispersal, and water, increasing its chances of colonizing different habitats. The seeds produced by this plant are notably lightweight, with a recorded mean seed mass of 0.002923 g, a physical trait that likely facilitates its effectiveness across these different dispersal syndromes, particularly those involving wind or water movement.

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Seed mass mean:

0.002923 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Colubrina elliptica has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Mabioside B.

Mabioside B

1. Phytochemistry

Preparations

Colubrina elliptica has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include bark.

Bark

1. Phytochemistry