Commiphora leptophloeos

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Bursera leptophloeos
• Bursera martiana
• Bursera orinocensis
• Icica leptophloeos

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Sapindales, it is classified under the family Burseraceae and the genus Commiphora. Specifically, its scientific name is Commiphora leptophloeos.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions of the South American continent. In Northern South America, its presence is specifically noted within the borders of Venezuela. Moving toward the western part of the continent, the species can also be found in Bolivia. Within Brazil, the plant is widely spread across the West-Central, Northeast, and Southeast regions. This widespread occurrence highlights the diverse ecological niches the species occupies throughout the region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Commiphora leptophloeos is defined by its adaptation to specific tropical biomes, primarily occurring within the Caatinga (strictu sensu) and the Cerrado (lato sensu) habitats. This species thrives in low-lying terrains, occupying an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum elevation of 500 m AMSL. Its distribution within these distinct ecological zones reflects a specialized ability to inhabit the seasonal and semi-arid environmental conditions characteristic of these Brazilian landscapes.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu)

Life history

The life history of Commiphora leptophloeos is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative shoots are elevated well above the ground, typically manifesting as a woody shrub or small tree. This species exhibits a deciduous growth pattern, shedding its foliage periodically, which is often an evolutionary adaptation to seasonal moisture availability or environmental stressors.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Commiphora leptophloeos is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which typically reaches a mean height of 8 m, though it can grow up to a maximum height of 12 m. As a terrestrial species, it is not aquatic or epiphytic, maintaining a strictly land-based existence. The plant is a self-supporting organism, functioning neither as a climber (such as a liana or vine) nor as a parasite, as it remains entirely independent in its growth and nutrient acquisition.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12 m

Plant height mean:

8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Commiphora leptophloeos is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in its natural habitat. In terms of nutrient acquisition and soil interaction, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on the uptake of available nitrogen from the substrate through its root system rather than through symbiotic diazotrophic associations.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Commiphora leptophloeos is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, indicating a biological reliance on living organisms to facilitate the transfer of pollen. This reproductive process is primarily driven by insect vectors, which play a crucial role in the fertilization cycle. Within this group of pollinators, bees are specifically identified as significant contributors to the plant's reproductive success, acting as specialized agents that ensure genetic exchange. By utilizing these biotic mechanisms, the plant ensures effective pollination through the targeted movement of pollen between flowers via these insect intermediaries.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Commiphora leptophloeos has 2 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 leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Stem

1. Frontiers in microbiology

Chemicals

Commiphora leptophloeos has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, CHLOROGENIC ACID, Gallic acid, Hinokinin, Isoorientin.

Flavonoids

1. Frontiers in microbiology
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Frontiers in microbiology

Gallic acid

1. Frontiers in microbiology

Hinokinin

1. Frontiers in microbiology

Isoorientin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Isoquercitrin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Isovitexin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Orientin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Phenolic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Quercetrin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Commiphora leptophloeos has 5 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Chemopreventive, Cytotoxic.

Antifungal

1. Frontiers in microbiology

Antimicrobial

1. Frontiers in microbiology

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemopreventive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cytotoxic

1. Frontiers in microbiology

Conditions

Commiphora leptophloeos has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Inflammatory bowel disease, MRSA, gastrointestinal disorders, protein denaturation, respiratory diseases.

Inflammatory bowel disease

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Mrsa

1. Frontiers in microbiology

Gastrointestinal disorders

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Protein denaturation

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Respiratory diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Vulvovaginal candidiasis

1. Frontiers in microbiology

Preparations

Commiphora leptophloeos has 6 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include CL extract, Homemade leaf decoction, extracts, hydroethanolic leaf extract, leaf and bark extracts.

Cl extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Homemade leaf decoction

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Extracts

1. Frontiers in microbiology

Hydroethanolic leaf extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leaf and bark extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Maceration

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology