Erythroxylum mucronatum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the northern regions of South America and the Caribbean. It is found within the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago located in the Caribbean. Moving to the mainland, the species is distributed across several countries in northern South America. Specifically, its range includes French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. Finally, the geographical presence of this species extends into Venezuela.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Erythroxylum mucronatum is characterized by its presence in diverse forest ecosystems, ranging from Riparian or Gallery Forests (Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria) to Terra Firme Forests (Floresta de Terra Firme). It is also found within Seasonal Semi-deciduous Forests (Floresta Estacional Semidecidual) and Ombrophilous Forests (Floresta Ombrófila, also known as Rainforest). This species typically inhabits environments at a mean elevation of approximately 400 m AMSL (meters above sea level).

Elevational range mean:

400 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Morphology

The morphology of Erythroxylum mucronatum is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as either a shrub or a tree, reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 8 meters. As an independent species, it functions without a parasitic lifestyle and is categorized as a terrestrial plant, avoiding aquatic or semiaquatic habitats. While it does not exhibit epiphytic tendencies, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence, its structural development is described as self-supporting, lacking the climbing or liana-like traits found in obligatory or facultative vines.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Erythroxylum mucronatum is characterized by specific morphological and structural parameters that reflect its resource allocation and biomass efficiency. The plant exhibits a mean leaf size of 36.204 cm², providing a substantial surface area for photosynthetic activity and gas exchange. This leaf morphology is further detailed by a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 85.643 cm²/g, a metric that indicates the ratio of leaf area to dry mass, offering insight into the plant's leaf thickness and its strategy for balancing light interception with metabolic costs. Additionally, the structural integrity and wood density are reflected in a mean Stem Specific Density (SSD) of 810 mg/cm³, a value that characterizes the density of the stem tissue and contributes to the overall mechanical support and hydraulic efficiency of the plant's vascular system.

Leaf size mean:

36.204 cm²

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

85.643 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

810 mg/cm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Erythroxylum mucronatum has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include TROPACOCAINE.

TROPACOCAINE

1. Dr. Duke