Dorstenia brasiliensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Dorstenia tubicina f. major
• Dorstenia heringeri
• Dorstenia infundibuliformis
• Dorstenia pernambucana
• Dorstenia montana
• Dorstenia montevidensis
• Dorstenia vilella
• Dorstenia tomentosa
• Dorstenia tubicina f. subexcentrica
• Dorstenia tubicina
• Dorstenia sabanensis
• Dorstenia schulzii
• Dorstenia placentoides
• Dorstenia brasiliensis f. balansae
• Dorstenia brasiliensis var. guaranitica
• Dorstenia brasiliensis var. major
• Dorstenia brasiliensis var. palustris
• Dorstenia brasiliensis var. tomentosa
• Dorstenia brasiliensis var. tubicina
• Dorstenia amazonica

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Rosales, falling into the family Moraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Dorslenia and the specific species Dorslenia brasiliensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions across the Americas. In the Caribbean, its presence is specifically noted within the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Moving to Northern South America, it can be found throughout Venezuela, Guyana, and French Guiana. The species also extends its reach into Western South America, specifically inhabiting the territory of Bolivia. Consequently, these locations represent the known natural habitats where the species thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Dorslenia brasiliensis is characterized by its adaptability to diverse environmental settings, spanning from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1900 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range centered around 300 m AMSL. This species exhibits a broad distribution across various landscapes, inhabiting anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) as well as natural biomes including the Caatinga (strictu sensu) and the Cerrado (lato sensu). Its ability to persist in both disturbed human-modified environments and specific semi-arid and savanna ecosystems highlights its ecological versatility within these distinct Brazilian habitats.

Elevational range max:

1900 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu)

Life history

The life history of Dorsetnia brasiliensis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. It functions as a geophyte, maintaining its vital structures underground to survive varying environmental conditions, while also exhibiting the traits of a cryptophyte, where its renewing buds are protected at or below the soil surface. Additionally, the plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that its foliage remains present throughout its developmental stages rather than shedding seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Dorslenia brasiliensis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, typically reaching an average plant height of approximately 0.2 m. As a terrestrial organism, it exists independently of other plants, functioning as a non-parasitic species rather than an obligatory or facultative parasite. It does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, maintaining a strictly terrestrial lifestyle. In terms of structural support, the plant is classified as self-supporting, meaning it does not function as a liana or vine but maintains its own upright posture through its herbaceous structure.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Dorsetnia brasiliensis is characterized by specific metabolic pathways and nutrient acquisition strategies tailored to its environmental niche. Regarding its nitrogen metabolism, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. Consequently, its physiological processes rely on the uptake of readily available nitrates and ammonium ions from the soil through its root system to sustain protein synthesis and enzymatic functions. Its metabolic activity is driven by photosynthetic pathways that facilitate carbon fixation, supporting the growth and secondary metabolite production essential to its medicinal properties.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Dorstenia brasiliensis 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 rhizome.

Rhizome

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Chemicals

Dorstenia brasiliensis has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Bergapten, Psoralen.

Bergapten

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Psoralen

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Activities

Dorstenia brasiliensis has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic.

Analgesic

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Conditions

Dorstenia brasiliensis has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include analgesic.

Analgesic

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Preparations

Dorstenia brasiliensis has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 10% infusion (dry plant), 20% (fresh plant).

10% infusion (dry plant)

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

20% (fresh plant)

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz