Cupania vernalis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Stadtmannia sorbifolia
• Cupania uraguensis
• Cupania bangii
• Cupania clethrodes
• Cupania vernalis f. clethrodes

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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 Sapindaceae and is identified by the genus Cupania.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad presence across several key regions of the South American continent. Its distribution is notably extensive throughout the country of Brazil, spanning from the North to the Southeast. Additionally, it can be found within the West-Central and Northeast territories of Brazil. Beyond the borders of Brazil, the species is also documented in the nation of Bolivia. Collectively, these locations highlight a widespread geographical range within Western South America.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cupania vernalis is defined by its preference for specific low-to-mid altitude moisture regimes, typically occurring within a broad elevational range that extends from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum of 1500 m AMSL. This species is specifically adapted to thrive in a "bosque bajo" habitat, where it is frequently found colonizing saturated soil conditions. These hydrological preferences suggest that the plant plays a role in ecosystems characterized by high water tables or seasonally flooded understories, where it can stabilize soil and interact with the local microclimate of shaded, damp forest environments.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Bosque bajo on saturated soil

Life history

The life history of Cupania vernalis is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive buds are elevated well above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that defines its life form. This phanerophyte growth strategy allows the plant to maintain its stature and protective mechanisms throughout its extended lifecycle, distinguishing its biological development from shorter-lived or ground-level vegetation.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cupania vernalis is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically categorized as a tree. This species exhibits a significant stature, with an average plant height of 16 m and a maximum potential height reaching up to 20 m. In terms of its growth habit and ecological positioning, it is a terrestrial plant that functions as a self-supporting organism, rather than an obligatory or facultative climber, liana, or vine. Furthermore, it is an independent species that does not exhibit parasitic behavior, and it grows as a terrestrial plant rather than as an epiphyte.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

16 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cupania vernalis is characterized by its specific metabolic and nutritional processes. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning it fixes carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle using the enzyme Rubisco, a characteristic typical of most woody forest species. Furthermore, Cupania vernalis does not function as a nitrogen fixer, as it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, relying instead on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cupania vernalis is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily relying on biological agents to facilitate fertilization. Within this reproductive strategy, the plant utilizes insect pollination, with a specific emphasis on bees as key pollinators. The resulting seeds produced through this process exhibit a highly uniform size, with a seed volume that remains constant at a mean, minimum, and maximum value of 700 mm³.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed volume max:

700 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cupania vernalis 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Cupania vernalis has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include nitric oxide.

nitric oxide

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Cupania vernalis has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antiprotozoal.

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiprotozoal

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Conditions

Cupania vernalis has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Leishmania donovani.

Leishmania donovani

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Preparations

Cupania vernalis has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic leaf extracts, leaf extracts.

Ethanolic leaf extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leaf extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology