Erisma calcaratum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Debraea violacea
• Ditmaria violacea
• Qualea calcarata
• Erisma violaceum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further organized into the subclass Magnoliidae, the order Myrtales, and the family Vochysiaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Erisma.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several distinct regions of the South American continent. In Northern South America, its range extends through the territories of Guyana and Venezuela. Moving toward the western part of the continent, the species is also found within Colombia and Peru. Additionally, the plant's distribution reaches into the northern reaches of Brazil. Together, these locations highlight a diverse geographical footprint spanning both the northern and western sectors of the landmass.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Erisma calcaratum is fundamentally defined by its specialization within the Floresta de Igapó, a type of blackwater flooded forest ecosystem. This plant thrives in these seasonally inundated environments, which are characterized by nutrient-poor, acidic soils and periodic flooding. Its ecological niche is situated at a relatively low topographic position, with a mean elevational range of approximately 100 m AMSL (meters above sea level). This specific habitat dictates the plant's adaptation to high moisture levels and the unique hydrological cycles inherent to flooded forest ecosystems.

Elevational range mean:

100 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Igapó

Life history

The life history of Erisma calcaratum is characterized by its status as a perennial species, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. As a perennial, the plant establishes a robust foundational structure that allows it to endure varying environmental conditions over an extended period, facilitating continuous vegetative growth and periodic reproductive phases. This long-term survival strategy enables the plant to accumulate necessary resources over several years, supporting its development and eventual flowering cycles within its natural habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Erisma calcaratum is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, capable of reaching a maximum plant height of 30 m. It functions as an independent organism, lacking parasitic tendencies, and maintains a terrestrial habit rather than being aquatic or semiaquatic. While it possesses the structural capacity to be self-supporting, it does not exhibit the climbing behavior associated with lianas or vines, nor does it function as an epiphyte, remaining strictly terrestrial in its ecological niche.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Erisma calcaratum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle for carbon fixation without the specialized anatomical adaptations found in C4 or CAM plants. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, lacking the biological machinery or symbiotic associations required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Erisma calcaratum has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial.

Antimalarial

1. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine

Conditions

Erisma calcaratum has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include malaria.

Malaria

1. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine