Lixeira do cerrado

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Sandpaper Tree
• rough-leaf-tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Curatella glabra
• Curatella americana var. pentagyna
• Curatella cambaiba
• Curatella grisebachiana

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae, the order Dilleniales, and the family Dilleniaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Curatella, specifically as the species Curatella americana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad presence across various regions within the nation of Mexico. It can be found throughout the diverse landscapes of Mexico Central. Its distribution also extends into the territories of Mexico Northeast and Mexico Gulf. Furthermore, the species is documented in the areas of Mexico Northwest. Finally, its geographical range reaches into the regions of Mexico Southwest.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Curatella americana is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse and often challenging Brazilian ecosystems, ranging from the semi-arid Caatinga (strictu sensu) and the nutrient-poor Campinarana to the expansive Cerrado (lato sensu), Savannah-like Amazonian environments (Savana Amazônica), and coastal habitats such as Restinga. This species also finds suitable niches in riparian corridors, specifically within Floresta Ciliar or Galeria. In terms of topographical distribution, the plant is found across a broad altitudinal gradient, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 1000 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range centered at approximately 325 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

325 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campinarana, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Restinga, Savana Amazônica

Life history

The life history of Curatella americana is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing the plant to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived woody plant, it follows a developmental trajectory that moves from initial seedling establishment through a sustained vegetative growth phase, eventually reaching reproductive maturity. Unlike annuals or biennials that complete their life cycles within one or two years, this perennial maintains a permanent structural presence, often forming dense thickets or contributing to the canopy structure of its habitat. This extended lifecycle enables the plant to endure seasonal fluctuations and invest significant energy into robust woody development and repeated reproductive cycles over many years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Curatella americana is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically developing as a tree. This plant reaches a mean height of approximately 5 m, though it can attain a maximum height of up to 10 m. It is a terrestrial species, functioning as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies, and it is not an epiphyte. While it possesses a self-supporting structure, it does not exhibit the climbing characteristics of a liana or vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Curatella americana is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency within its ecosystem. The plant exhibits a Specific Leaf Area (SLA) with a mean value of 89.773 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf morphological strategy and its capacity for resource acquisition and light interception. Furthermore, Curatella americana does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on existing soil nitrogen availability to support its physiological development and growth requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

89.773 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Curatella americana is characterized by the production of seeds with highly consistent physical properties, indicating a standardized dispersal unit. The seeds exhibit a uniform seed mass, with both the minimum and maximum values, as well as the mean, recorded at exactly 0.01889 g. Similarly, the seed volume shows no variation across the observed samples, maintaining a consistent volume where the minimum, maximum, and mean values are all precisely 98 mm³. This lack of variance in both mass and volume suggests a highly regulated reproductive mechanism that produces seeds of a specific, uniform size and weight.

Seed mass mean:

0.01889 g

Seed volume max:

98 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Curatella americana has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3-Hydroxytyrosol, Avicularin, Gallic acid, kaempferol, quercetin.

3-Hydroxytyrosol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Avicularin

1. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Gallic acid

1. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences

kaempferol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

quercetin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

tryptophan

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Curatella americana has 6 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal, Antihypertensive, Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, Gastroprotective.

Antifungal

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antihypertensive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Gastroprotective

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Vasodilator

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Curatella americana has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include gastrointestinal disorders, hypertension.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations