Couepia ulei

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Couepia ulei, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Malpighiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Chrysobalanaceae and falls under the genus Couepia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide distribution across several regions of the South American continent. In Northern South America, it can be found growing within the borders of Venezuela. Its presence extends into Western South America, where it inhabits parts of Colombia and Ecuador. The species is also documented throughout various areas of Peru. Finally, its range includes the northern regions of Brazil.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Couepia ulei is characterized by its preference for specific tropical forest structures, occurring primarily within Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria (riparian or gallery forests) as well as Floresta de Terra Firme (upland forests). These environments provide the necessary moisture levels and soil stability required for its growth. In terms of topography, the species typically occupies a moderate altitudinal niche, with an average elevational range of approximately 200 m AMSL (meters above sea level).

Elevational range mean:

200 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme

Life history

The life history of Couepiua ulei is characterized by its long-term survival strategy as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habit, the species is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting characteristics consistent with both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms. This indicates that its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems or branches, a trait typical of trees or large shrubs that occupy higher strata within their vegetative environment.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Couepiia ulei is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that typically reaches a mean height of 12 m, with a maximum potential height of 15 m. This species is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite, and it maintains a self-supporting structure without the need for climbing via liana or vine habits. As a non-epiphytic, terrestrial tree, it possesses a robust, woody constitution suitable for its upright, self-supporting growth habit.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

12 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Couepia ulei is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process and metabolic efficiency in typical environmental conditions. As a plant utilizing the C3 pathway, it relies on the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme Rubisco within the mesophyll cells, rather than employing the specialized concentration mechanisms found in C4 or CAM species. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as rhizobia, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into biologically available forms, meaning it relies instead on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds available within the soil matrix.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Couepia ulei 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 stem.

Stem

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Chemicals

Couepia ulei has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+/-)-Syringaresinol, Evofolin B, OLEANOLIC ACID, Pomolic acid, Ursolic acid.

(+/-)-Syringaresinol

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Evofolin B

1. Archives of pharmacal research

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Pomolic acid

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Ursolic acid

1. Archives of pharmacal research

betulinic acid

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Preparations

Couepia ulei has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include EtOAc-soluble extract of the stems.

Etoac-soluble extract of the stems

1. Archives of pharmacal research