Gonzalagunia panamensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions of North and Central America. Within Mexico, it can be found spanning from the Northeast to the Southwest. It also inhabits the Gulf regions of Mexico, extending its presence toward the Southeast. Moving further south, its range continues into the Central American landscape. Specifically, the species has been documented growing within the borders of Belize.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Gonzalagunia panamensis is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution that spans from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1860 m AMSL. This significant elevational range indicates a high degree of ecological plasticity, allowing the species to inhabit diverse environmental gradients and varying microclimates within its native range. By occupying niches from lowland coastal or riparian zones to higher montane forest environments, the plant is adapted to a wide spectrum of temperature regimes, moisture availability, and soil compositions. This ability to persist across an elevation gradient of nearly 1900 meters suggests that Gonzalagunia panamensis can tolerate various levels of humidity and light intensity, making it a resilient component of the tropical forest ecosystems it inhabits.

Elevational range max:

1860 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Gonzalagunia panamensis is characterized by its structural classification within specific plant growth forms, primarily functioning as a phanerophyte. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its renewing buds well above the soil surface, allowing it to establish a robust presence within its tropical habitat. While its primary vegetative strategy aligns with this elevated growth form, its developmental plasticity and ecological niche can also involve characteristics associated with being a nanophanerophyte, where the reproductive or renewing parts are held at a relatively low height above the ground compared to larger woody species. This combination of life forms enables the species to navigate the competitive light environments of its ecosystem, utilizing its perennial structure to ensure survival and reproductive success across successive growing seasons.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Gonzalagunia panamensis is characterized by its woody structure and distinct growth habit. It is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte. In terms of its physical form, the species is classified as a shrub, exhibiting a self-supporting growth habit rather than being an obligatory or facultative climber, liana, or vine. Although its environment may vary, its primary ecological state is terrestrial, distinguishing it from aquatic or semiaquatic species. The plant maintains a stable, woody architecture that supports its shrub-like development within its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Gonzalagunia panamensis 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas

Preparations

Gonzalagunia panamensis has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic extracts of the leaves and branches.

Ethanolic extracts of the leaves and branches

1. Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas