Diospyros lasiocalyx

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several key regions of South America. Within the continent, it can be found growing in the territory of Bolivia. In Brazil, its presence is remarkably extensive, spanning across the North and Northeast regions. Furthermore, the species is established within the West-Central and Southeast portions of the country. Collectively, these locations highlight the diverse habitats this medicinal species inhabits.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Diospyros lasiocalyx is characterized by its adaptability to diverse Brazilian biomes, finding suitable growing conditions within the Caatinga (stricto sensu), the Cerrado (lato sensu), and within Floresta Ciliar or Galeria environments. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying a range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum elevation of 800 m AMSL. This wide elevational span and varied habitat preference suggest a resilient ecological profile capable of thriving in both semi-arid shrublands and more humid riparian corridors.

Elevational range max:

800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria

Life history

The life history of Diospyros lasiocalyx is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated stems or branches, a growth form that defines its structural presence within its habitat. Furthermore, this species exhibits a deciduous habit, undergoing a seasonal shedding of its foliage as part of its biological cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Diospyros lasiocalyx is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, typically reaching a mean height of 6 m, though it can attain a maximum height of up to 13 m. It functions as a self-supporting, independent organism, neither acting as a climber nor as a parasite. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, lacking any aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

13 m

Plant height mean:

6 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Diospyros lasiocalyx is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle without the specialized separation of carbon fixation and the Calvin cycle found in other pathways. In terms of nutrient acquisition and symbiotic relationships, this species is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized root nodules or symbiotic mechanisms required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable biological form, relying instead on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Diospyros lasiocalyx is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily driven by insects, with bees playing a specific and significant role in the transfer of pollen. The plant exhibits an absence of self-fertilization, necessitating cross-pollination to ensure genetic diversity and successful seed set. Following fertilization, the plant develops fleshy fruits that serve as the vessel for its offspring. The seeds contained within these fruits are remarkably uniform in size, maintaining a consistent volume with a minimum, maximum, and mean measurement of exactly 1900 mm³.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed volume max:

1900 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Diospyros lasiocalyx 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 root.

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology