Cratylia argentea

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across several regions of the Americas. In Central America, its presence is documented within the borders of El Salvador. Moving to Western South America, the species can be found inhabiting the landscapes of both Bolivia and Peru. Within the vast territory of Brazil, it is specifically located in the West-Central region. Additionally, its range extends into the Northeast portion of Brazil.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cratylia argentea is fundamentally tied to diverse Brazilian biomes, where it thrives within the Cerrado (latu sensu), Coastal Forests (Floresta Ciliar), or Gallery Forests (Galeria). This adaptability allows the species to occupy various niches, ranging from the open, seasonal landscapes of the Cerrado to the more humid, sheltered environments of riparian corridors and forest edges. By inhabiting both the dry, scrubby terrains of the central plateau and the moisture-rich margins of water bodies, the plant integrates into complex trophic webs, benefiting from the specific microclimates and soil compositions provided by these distinct ecological zones.

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria

Morphology

The morphology of Cratylia argentea is characterized by a versatile growth habit that can manifest as a woody tree or a shrub, depending on environmental conditions. While it is categorized under terrestrial habitats, its ecological niche allows for a range of presence across aquaic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial environments. The plant exhibits a climbing tendency, functioning as an obligatory liana that relies on external structures for support rather than being self-supporting. Despite its ability to climb, it is fundamentally a terrestrial species rather than an epiphyte, maintaining an independent existence without being an obligatory or facultative hemi-epiphyte. In terms of its structural composition, the plant is distinctly woody, providing the necessary rigidity for its liana-like climbing form and its larger arborescent or shrubby growth stages.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cratylia argentea is characterized by a metabolic framework centered around the C3 photosynthetic pathway, wherein carbon fixation occurs directly through the Calvin cycle via the enzyme RuBisCO. This pathway dictates the plant's gas exchange dynamics and water-use efficiency, as stomata must remain open during daylight hours to facilitate the uptake of atmospheric carbon dioxide, which in turn influences the species' transpiration rates and its adaptation to specific environmental moisture levels. The enzymatic processes within the mesophyll cells drive the conversion of CO2 into three-carbon sugars, a fundamental physiological mechanism that supports the plant's biomass production and overall energy metabolism.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cratylia argentea has 1 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 seed.

Seed

1. Biochimica et biophysica acta
2. Immunological investigations