Dioclea guianensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the tropical regions of the Americas. In North America, its presence is documented in the Southeast region of Mexico. Moving into Central America, the species can be found throughout the territory of Belize. Its range further extends southward to include the country of Honduras. Finally, the distribution reaches into Costa Rica and Panamá, completing its regional footprint.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Dioclea guianenis is characterized by its adaptability to diverse environmental settings, ranging from human-disturbed landscapes to specialized natural ecosystems. It is commonly found inhabiting Anthropic Areas (Área Antrópica), Igapó forests (Floresta de Igapó), and the Amazonian Savanna (Savana Amazônica). This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, spanning from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 2000 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of occurrence recorded at 1720 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1720 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Floresta de Igapó, Savana Amazônica

Morphology

The morphology of Dioclea guianensis is characterized by its growth as a woody liana, functioning as an obligatory climber that utilizes surrounding structures for support. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial life cycle. Its growth form is distinct from shrubs or trees, instead developing into a climbing vine that remains an independent organism, lacking any parasitic relationship with its host plants. The plant's structure is notably woody, providing the necessary strength and durability for its life as a climbing liana within its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Dioclea guianensis is characterized by its specific metabolic adaptations to its environmental niche, most notably through its photosynthetic pathway. This species utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism where the first stable compound formed during carbon fixation is a three-carbon molecule, typically occurring during the Calvin cycle. This biochemical process involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide by the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells. As a C3 plant, its physiological efficiency is heavily influenced by ambient temperature and water availability, as the metabolic process is susceptible to photorespiration when stomatal conductance decreases under stressful conditions. This fundamental metabolic framework governs the plant's energy production, carbon assimilation, and overall growth patterns within its natural habitat.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Dioclea guianenis is characterized by the production of specialized seeds that serve as the primary vehicle for its dispersal and propagation. Based on quantitative data regarding its reproductive output, the seeds exhibit a highly uniform mass profile, with no variance observed between the minimum and maximum recorded weights. Specifically, the seed mass is characterized by a consistent value where the mean, maximum, and minimum all converge at exactly 0.072 g. This precise uniformity in seed mass suggests a highly regulated physiological process during seed development, ensuring that each propagule contains a standardized amount of resources to support early seedling establishment.

Seed mass mean:

0.072 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Dioclea guianensis 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 seed.

Seed

1. Biochimica et biophysica acta