Stenocalyx dysentericus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Myrtus dysenterica
• Stenocalyx dysentericus

Regional and Traditional Names

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 further falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Myrtales, placing it in the family Myrtaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Eugenia, specifically as the species Eugenia dysenterica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found across various regions of Western South America, with documented occurrences in Bolivia. Its distribution extends significantly into Brazil, where it inhabits a wide range of ecological zones. Within the country, it can be located throughout the North and Northeast regions. Additionally, the species is present in the West-Central areas of Brazil. Finally, the plant is also distributed across the Southeast portion of the Brazilian territory.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Eugenia dysenterica is characterized by its adaptation to specific Brazilian biomes, primarily occurring within the Caatinga (stricto sensu) and the Cerrado (lato sensu). This distribution indicates a high capacity for resilience in environments defined by seasonal water scarcity and distinct dry periods. In the Caatinga, the species must navigate semi-arid conditions, often occupying niches where it can endure high solar radiation and irregular rainfall. Conversely, its presence in the Cerrado (lato sensu) suggests an ability to thrive in more mosaic-like landscapes, often transitioning between savanna-like formations and more forested patches. These habitats dictate its physiological strategies for moisture conservation and nutrient cycling, allowing the plant to maintain its biological functions across diverse soil types and climatic fluctuations inherent to these tropical ecosystems.

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu)

Life history

The life history of Eugenia dysenterica is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its stem or branches well above the ground level, a trait that is further specified by its classification as a nanophanerophyte, indicating a relatively low-growing woody structure. In terms of its foliage dynamics, the species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its leaves periodically as part of its seasonal developmental cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Eugenia dysenterica is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. This self-supporting plant typically reaches a mean height of 6 meters, though its stature can vary significantly, ranging from a minimum of 4 meters to a maximum of 10 meters. As a non-climbing, self-supporting species, it establishes a stable structural presence within its habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

6 m

Plant height min:

4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Eugenia dysenterica is characterized by specific metabolic and nutritional strategies typical of many woody angiosperms. In terms of carbon assimilation, the plant utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, relying on the enzyme Rubisco to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide during the Calvin cycle. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition processes, the species is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it does not possess a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, instead relying on the uptake of nitrates or ammonium from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Eugenia dysenterica is characterized by the development of fleshy fruits that serve as the primary vessel for seed dispersal. These fruits possess a notable fleshy texture, which plays a crucial role in attracting dispersers to facilitate the plant's life cycle. Within these fruits, the seeds are contained with a highly consistent morphological profile; specifically, the seed volume is uniform across observed samples, maintaining a constant mean, minimum, and maximum volume of 620 mm³. This lack of variance in seed size suggests a stabilized reproductive strategy aimed at providing a predictable amount of nutrient reserves for each offspring.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed volume max:

620 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Eugenia dysenterica has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, fruit.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Fitoterapia

Fruit

1. Peptides

Chemicals

Eugenia dysenterica has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, ALPHA-THUJENE, BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE, Coumarins, Flavonoid.

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

ALPHA-THUJENE

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Coumarins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flavonoid

1. Fitoterapia

LIMONENE

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Saponins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Tannins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Terpenes

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

alpha-Humulene

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Eugenia dysenterica has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include C. parapsilosis, cryptococcal meningitis, irritable bowel syndrome, rotavirus.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations