Desmopsis panamensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Unona panamensis

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Desmopsis panamensis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Magnoliales. It is further classified into the family Annonaceae and the genus Desmopsis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is specifically found within the geographical region of Central America. Its natural habitat is restricted to the country of Panamá. Because of this limited range, the species is considered an endemic element of the local flora. Researchers focusing on its distribution must look toward the specific ecosystems of this Panamanian territory. Consequently, the conservation of its natural environment in Panamá is essential for its survival.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Desmopsis panamensis is characterized by its distribution across a diverse altitudinal gradient, allowing it to inhabit a wide variety of environmental conditions. This species can be found at elevations ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 1000 m AMSL. This broad elevational range suggests an adaptability to different microclimates, spanning from lowland tropical environments to mid-elevation montane zones, which likely influences the specific soil compositions and humidity levels it encounters within its natural habitat.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Desmopsis panamensis is characterized by a woody growth form, functioning as a self-supporting tree that can reach a maximum plant height of 11 m. Despite having traits associated with aquatic, semiaquatic, or terrestrial habitats, this species is categorized as a terrestrial plant rather than an epiphyte or a climber. It does not exhibit climbing habits such as a liana or vine, nor does it function as an obligatory or facultative climber, remaining entirely self-supporting in its structure. Furthermore, the plant is an independent organism, showing no parasitic tendencies, and maintains a robust, woody constitution throughout its development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

11 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Desmopsis panamensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a metabolic strategy focused on direct carbon fixation through the Calvin cycle. Its leaf morphology and resource allocation strategies are reflected in its leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and specific leaf area (SLA) metrics, which exhibit high levels of uniformity. The plant maintains a consistent LDMC across its tissues, with a mean, minimum, and maximum value all recorded at 375.5 mg/g, suggesting a stable investment in structural biomass per unit of leaf mass. Similarly, its SLA values are highly stabilized, with the minimum, mean, and maximum values all measuring 149.8 cm²/g. This lack of variance in both LDMC and SLA suggests a highly specialized and consistent leaf construction strategy, optimizing the balance between light interception and tissue density within its physiological framework.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

375.5 mg/g

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

149.8 cm²/g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Desmopsis panamensis has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiplasmodial.

Antiplasmodial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Desmopsis panamensis has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Plasmodium falciparum.

Plasmodium falciparum

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Desmopsis panamensis has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts.

Extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology