Eschweilera coriacea

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Neohuberia matamata
• Lecythis odora
• Lecythis peruviana
• Lecythis acuminatissima
• Lecythis coriacea
• Lecythis retroflexa
• Lecythis grandifolia
• Chytroma grandifolia
• Chytroma cincturata
• Jugastrum coriaceum
• Eschweilera acuminatissima
• Eschweilera odora
• Eschweilera grandifolia
• Eschweilera fractiflexa
• Eschweilera eymaana
• Eschweilera pallida
• Eschweilera retroflexa
• Eschweilera vageleri

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. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ericales, it is specifically placed in the family Lecythidaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Eschweilera, which includes the species Eschweilera coriacea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across parts of Central and South America. In Central America, its presence is documented in the nations of Honduras and Panamá. Moving into Northern South America, the species can be found spanning several distinct territories. Specifically, it inhabits the regions of French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. This range highlights its importance within the tropical ecosystems of these interconnected countries.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Eschweilera coriacea is characterized by its preference for stable, non-flooded environments, specifically occurring within the Floresta de Terra Firme. This species occupies a broad altitudinal gradient, establishing itself across a diverse range of terrains that begin at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extend up to an elevation of 1000 m AMSL. By thriving in these terra firme forest ecosystems, the plant benefits from the consistent soil conditions and structural complexity typical of these non-seasonal, upland tropical forest habitats.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Terra Firme

Life history

The life history of Eschweilera coriacea is characterized by its nature as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive shoots are elevated well above the ground, a structural adaptation that defines its growth habit and survival strategy. Furthermore, the plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Eschweilera coriacea is characterized by its stature as a large, woody tree that can reach significant dimensions, with a mean height of approximately 25 m and a maximum height of up to 37 m. As a terrestrial species, it is not aquatic or semi-aquatic, nor does it function as an epiphyte, maintaining an independent lifestyle rather than being an obligatory, facultative, or hemi-epiphytic organism. It is an independent plant that does not exhibit parasitic behavior. In terms of its structural habit, the plant is categorized as a self-supporting growth form, lacking the climbing tendencies of a vine or liana.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

37 m

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Eschweilera coriacea is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes for carbon fixation and energy production. As a C3 plant, it utilizes the Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide directly through the enzyme Rubisco, typically thriving in environments where moisture is sufficient to prevent excessive photorespiration. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the surrounding soil to meet its nutritional requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Eschweilera coriacea is characterized by a complex interplay of dispersal mechanisms designed to ensure the spread of its progeny across various environments. The primary dispersal syndrome for this species is identified as zoochorous, meaning that animals play a critical role in the movement of its seeds. However, the reproductive strategy is not limited to a single method; the species exhibits a multifaceted approach that includes anemochorous (wind-dispersed), autochorous (self-dispersed), and hydrochorous (water-dispersed) elements. This combination of dispersal syndromes, ranging from specialized animal interactions to unspecialized environmental transport, allows the plant to colonize diverse ecological niches by utilizing wind, water, and fauna to facilitate seed movement.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Eschweilera coriacea has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3-O-Galloylepigallocatechin, ESCHWEILENOL A, ESCHWEILENOL C, Epigallocatechin, Eschweilenol B.

3-O-Galloylepigallocatechin

1. Journal of natural products

ESCHWEILENOL A

1. Journal of natural products

ESCHWEILENOL C

1. Journal of natural products

Epigallocatechin

1. Journal of natural products

Eschweilenol B

1. Journal of natural products

ellagic acid

1. Journal of natural products

sucrose

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Eschweilera coriacea has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include bark.

Bark

1. Journal of natural products