Gliricidia maculata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lonchocarpus maculatus
• Gliricidia sepium f. maculata
• Galedupa pungam
• Robinia maculata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Gliricidia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the southern reaches of North America and into Central America. In North America, its presence is documented within the southeastern regions of Mexico. Moving southward into Central America, the species can also be found in Belize. Furthermore, its range extends into the neighboring country of Guatemala. Consequently, its habitat is concentrated within these specific tropical and subtropical zones.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Gliricidia maculata is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a tree. It functions as an independent organism, exhibiting neither parasitic nor epiphytic tendencies, as it maintains a terrestrial existence. Although its ecological niche can vary, its primary habitat is terrestrial rather than aquatic or semiaquatic. In terms of its structural habit, it is classified as a self-supporting plant, meaning it does not rely on climbing mechanisms such as lianas or vines to maintain its upright posture.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Gliricidia maculata is characterized by its efficient metabolic processes and adaptive mechanisms designed for tropical environments. A fundamental component of its physiological profile is its photosynthetic pathway, which follows the C3 mechanism. This pathway involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide by the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle, a process that facilitates rapid biomass accumulation under favorable moisture and temperature conditions. Alongside this carbon fixation strategy, the plant exhibits robust physiological adaptations for nitrogen fixation, utilizing symbiotic relationships with Rhizobium bacteria in its root nodules to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, thereby enhancing its nutrient uptake efficiency. Furthermore, its physiological resilience is supported by an extensive root system and specialized stomatal regulation, allowing the plant to maintain turgor pressure and metabolic stability even during periods of environmental stress.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Gliricidia maculata is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit a highly consistent physical profile. Based on botanical data, the seed mass is uniform across the observed samples, with a mean mass of 0.2267 g. This consistency is reflected in the lack of variance within the population, as both the maximum and minimum recorded seed masses are identical at 0.2267 g. This stability in seed weight suggests a standardized reproductive output for the species, ensuring that each seed carries a predictable amount of nutrient reserves to support early seedling development.

Seed mass mean:

0.2267 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Gliricidia maculata has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include oil.

oil

1. International journal of food sciences and nutrition