Eugenia astringens

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Eugenia rotundifolia var. oblongata
• Eugenia apiocarpa
• Eugenia cassinoides var. gracilis
• Eugenia umbelliflora
• Eugenia cassinoides var. difformis
• Eugenia cassinoides var. robusta

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, the order Myrtales, and the family Myrtaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its membership in the genus Eugenia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical presence across several key regions of Brazil. Specifically, its natural range extends into the diverse landscapes of the Brazil Northeast. Furthermore, the species can be found throughout the fertile areas of the Brazil Southeast. It is also widely distributed across the temperate climates of the Brazil South. Consequently, these three distinct regions represent the primary locations where this medicinal species thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Eugenia astringens is defined by its preference for specific coastal and lowland environments, primarily inhabiting Floresta Ombrófila (Rainforest) and Restinga ecosystems. It thrives within a relatively narrow altitudinal gradient, occupying a range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum elevation of 500 m AMSL. This distribution suggests an adaptation to humid, tropical conditions characteristic of Atlantic Forest formations and the sandy, nutrient-limited soils typical of coastal Restinga habitats.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga

Life history

The life history of Eugenia astringens is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist and maintain its presence within its ecological niche over many years. In terms of its structural growth and survival strategy, the species exhibits a phanerophyte life form, indicating that its perennial buds are borne on aerial shoots well above the ground. Additionally, it can be classified under the nanophanerophyte life form category, reflecting its capacity to maintain woody structures that sustain its long-term development and reproductive viability.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Eugenia astringens is characterized by its woody structure and a growth form that primarily manifests as a tree or shrub. As a terrestrial plant, it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a self-supporting habit without the need for climbing or liana-like structures. The plant reaches a maximum height of approximately 10 meters, showcasing a robust development typical of its woody classification. While its growth habit is strictly terrestrial, avoiding aquatic or semiaquatic environments, its physical architecture is defined by a stable, self-supporting frame.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Eugenia astringens is characterized by a metabolic framework driven by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and energy acquisition strategies. Within this C3 mechanism, the plant utilizes the enzyme Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) to catalyze the initial fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide into three-carbon organic compounds during the Calvin cycle. This pathway implies that the plant's gas exchange and light-harvesting capabilities are highly dependent on ambient temperature and moisture availability, as the reliance on direct CO2 diffusion through stomata necessitates a balance between photosynthetic efficiency and the prevention of photorespiration. Consequently, its physiological performance is closely tied to the environmental conditions that influence stomatal conductance and the subsequent regulation of its water-use efficiency.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Eugenia astringens 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 fruit.

Fruit

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Chemicals

Eugenia astringens has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Taraxerol.

Taraxerol

1. Steroids

Preparations

Eugenia astringens has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include hexane extract of Eugenia umbelliflora fruits.

Hexane extract of eugenia umbelliflora fruits

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM