Davilla nitida

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Davilla aspera var. matudae
• Delima nitida
• Davilla ciliata
• Davilla piauhiensis
• Tetracera nitida
• Tetracera multiflora
• Davilla multiflora
• Davilla multiflora var. acutangula
• Davilla matudae
• Davilla macrophylla
• Davilla sagrana
• Davilla itaparicensis
• Davilla lacunosa var. minor
• Davilla densiflora

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Davilla nitiida, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling within the order Dilleniales. Finally, it is a member of the family Dilleniaceae and is situated within the genus Davilla.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of locations throughout the tropical regions of North and Central America. Within Mexico, its presence is noted in both the Gulf region and the Southeast. Moving south into Central America, the species can be found inhabiting the landscapes of Guatemala. Its distribution further extends into the territory of Belize. Finally, the geographical reach of this medicinal plant includes the country of Costa Rica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

Davilla nitida exhibits a highly versatile ecological distribution, thriving across a diverse array of environmental conditions and biomes. It can be found in several distinct habitats, including Campinarana, Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (latu sensu), Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual, Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial), Restinga, and Savana Amazônica. This wide adaptability allows the species to inhabit both seasonally dry environments and lush, humid rainforests. Furthermore, the plant demonstrates a broad altitudinal tolerance, occupying an elevational range that extends from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 2200 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campinarana, Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga, Savana Amazônica

Morphology

The morphology of Davilla nitida is characterized by a woody growth form, functioning as a liana that exhibits an obligatory climbing habit. It is classified as a terrestrial plant rather than an aquatic or semiaquatic species, and it maintains an independent status as a non-parasitic organism. Although its structural classification can vary depending on ecological context, it is primarily defined by its woody stems and its specialized liana growth form, which distinguishes it from shrubs, trees, or herbaceous plants.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Davilla nitida is characterized by a metabolic framework driven by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning the initial fixation of carbon dioxide occurs through the enzyme Rubisco to form a three-carbon compound. As a woody climber, its physiological processes are optimized for life in tropical or subtropical environments, where gas exchange and transpiration are tightly regulated to maintain turgor pressure and nutrient transport throughout its climbing structure. The plant utilizes its C3 mechanism to convert light energy into chemical energy, supporting the development of its foliage and reproductive organs through standard Calvin cycle operations. This photosynthetic efficiency is intrinsically linked to its water-use strategies and stomatal conductance, which allow the plant to balance carbon assimilation with the prevention of excessive desiccation in its native habitat.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Davilla nitida has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Clastogenic, Phytotoxic.

Clastogenic

1. Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part A

Phytotoxic

1. Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part A