Coutarea hexandra

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Coutarea hexandra var. campanilla
• Coutarea hexandra var. speciosa
• Cinchona souzana
• Coutarea campanilla
• Gardenia hexagona
• Portlandia acuminata
• Portlandia hexandra
• Exostema souzanum
• Coutarea flavescens
• Portlandia speciosa
• Coutarea hexandra f. albiflora
• Coutarea hexandra var. amazonica
• Coutarea hexandra var. calycina
• Coutarea hexandra var. fluminensis
• Coutarea hexandra f. grandiflora
• Coutarea hexandra var. pubescens
• Coutarea hexandra f. pubescens
• Coutarea hexandra f. roseiflora
• Coutarea hexandra f. tarapotensis
• Coutarea corymbosa
• Coutarea lindeniana
• Coutarea pubescens
• Coutarea scherffiana
• Coutarea speciosa

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical presence across several regions of North and Central America. In Mexico, its range extends from the Gulf coast to the southwest and the southeast portions of the country. Moving into Central America, the species can also be found within the borders of Belize. Additionally, its distribution reaches further south into Costa Rica. Together, these locations highlight the broad tropical and subtropical habitats preferred by Coutarea hexandra.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Coutarea hexandra is characterized by its broad adaptability to diverse Brazilian biomes and a wide altitudinal distribution. It thrives in a variety of specialized habitats, including the Caatinga (strictu sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta de Várzea, Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual, and Floresta Ombrófila Mista. This ecological plasticity allows the species to occupy environments ranging from lowland areas at 0 m AMSL to higher elevations reaching a maximum of 1728 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1728 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta de Várzea, Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila Mista

Life history

The life history of Coutarea hexandra is characterized by its long-term existence as a perennial species, ensuring its persistence within its natural ecosystem over many successive years. In terms of its structural growth and life form, the plant is classified as a phanerophyte, possessing elevated stem systems that allow it to thrive in specific ecological niches. Additionally, its biological classification includes its status as a nanophanerophyte, reflecting its specific growth habit and architectural scale within its habitat.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Coutarea hexaandra is characterized by a woody growth form that primarily manifests as either a tree or a shrub. As a terrestrial species, it functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a liana or vine, maintaining its structure through its woody constitution. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant vertical variability, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 2.5 m to a maximum of 10 m, maintaining a mean height of approximately 4.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

4.5 m

Plant height min:

2.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Coutarea hexaandra is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits a highly consistent leaf dry matter content (LDMC), with a recorded mean, minimum, and maximum value of 325.2 mg/g, reflecting a stable structural density within its foliar tissues. Additionally, it does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on external soil nutrients rather than symbiotic nitrogen-fixing mechanisms to meet its nitrogen requirements.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

325.2 mg/g

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Coutarea hexaandra is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit specific morphological dimensions and mass variations. The seed length within this species is quite diverse, ranging from a minimum of 15 mm to a maximum of 30 mm. In terms of weight, the seeds demonstrate a relatively light profile, with the seed mass varying from a minimum of 0.00282 g to a maximum of 0.005 g. On average, the seed mass is recorded at a mean value of 0.00391 g, reflecting the specific reproductive investment and physical properties inherent to the species' dispersal units.

Seed length max:

30 mm

Seed length min:

15 mm

Seed mass max:

0.005 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00391 g

Seed mass min:

0.00282 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Coutarea hexandra 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 fruit.

Fruit

1. Natural product research

Chemicals

Coutarea hexandra has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 23,24-Dihydrocucurbitacin F, Flavonoid.

23,24-Dihydrocucurbitacin F

1. Natural product research

Flavonoid

1. Environmental toxicology and pharmacology

Activities

Coutarea hexandra has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Mutagenic.

Mutagenic

1. Environmental toxicology and pharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Coutarea hexandra has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria.

Most Reported Uses