Guettarda viburnoides

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Matthiola viburnoides
• Matthiola platyphylla
• Guettarda viburnoides f. intermedia
• Guettarda platyphylla
• Guettarda viburnoides var. pannosa
• Guettarda viburnoides var. rhombifolia

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 is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianaales, falling into the family Rubiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Guettarda, specifically as the species Guettarda viburnoides.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread geographical presence across several key regions of the South American continent. Within the country of Brazil, its distribution is remarkably extensive, spanning from the North to the Southeast. It is also found throughout the Northeast and West-Central regions of Brazil. Beyond the borders of Brazil, the species extends its reach into the nation of Bolivia. Together, these locations highlight a significant presence across Western South America and much of the Brazilian territory.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Guettarda viburnoides is characterized by its presence across a diverse array of environments, ranging from highly modified anthropogenic areas to pristine natural formations. It inhabits a variety of ecosystems, including Campo Rupestre, Carrasco, and Cerrado (latu sensu), as well as seasonal forest types such as Floresta Estacional Decidual and Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual. Additionally, the species is frequently found in specialized niches, specifically within vegetation growing over rocky outcrops (Vegetação Sobre Afloramentos Rochosos). This plant occupies a broad altitudinal gradient, thriving from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 700 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Campo Rupestre, Carrasco, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Vegetação Sobre Afloramentos Rochosos

Life history

The life history of Guettarda viburnoides is characterized by its status as a perennial species, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. In terms of its structural growth and survival strategy, the plant exhibits a dual life form classification, functioning as both a phanerophyte, with its buds elevated above the ground level, and a nanophanerophyte, reflecting its specific shrubby stature. This combination of traits allows the plant to maintain a stable, multi-year existence while adapting its physical form to its surrounding environment.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Guettarda viburnoides is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily developing as a tree. It is a terrestrial species that functions as an independent organism, rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant vertical development, with a mean height of approximately 5 m, though it can reach a maximum height of up to 12 m. Despite being categorized under climbing traits in certain contexts, it is specifically classified as a self-supporting structure rather than a liana or vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12 m

Plant height mean:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Geertardia viburnoides is characterized by its specialized metabolic adaptations to Mediterranean-type ecosystems, where moisture availability and nutrient cycling are critical limiting factors. Its physiological processes are optimized for efficient water use and resource conservation, allowing it to thrive in nutrient-poor, often rocky soils. Regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, the plant does not engage in symbiotic nitrogen fixation; specifically, it is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized root nodules containing diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Instead, its nutritional physiology relies on the uptake of mineral nitrogen, such as nitrates and ammonium, directly from the soil solution via an extensive root system. This reliance on soil-derived nitrogen necessitates a high degree of efficiency in root architecture and nutrient scavenging to maintain cellular functions and sustain its growth cycles within its native habitat.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

Reproduction in Guettarda viburnoides is characterized by a highly consistent seed morphology, which plays a critical role in its dispersal and propagation cycles. The reproductive success of the species is supported by seeds that exhibit a precise and uniform size distribution. Specifically, the seed volume is remarkably stable, with a measured volume of 1200 mm³ across all recorded samples. This uniformity is reflected in the data, where the minimum seed volume, the maximum seed volume, and the mean seed volume all converge at exactly 1200 mm³. Such consistency in seed volume suggests a highly regulated developmental process during the maturation of the fruit, ensuring that each seed possesses the same structural capacity for nutrient storage and eventual germination.

Seed volume max:

1200 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Guettarda viburnoides has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology

Stem

1. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology

Chemicals

Guettarda viburnoides has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Secoxyloganin, Condensed Tannins, Flavonoids, Grandifloroside, Hyperin.

Secoxyloganin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology

Condensed Tannins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Grandifloroside

1. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology

Hyperin

1. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology

Ursolic acid

1. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology

flavonols

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

uncaric acid

1. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology

Activities

Guettarda viburnoides has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Guettarda viburnoides has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include hyperalgesia, inflammation, mechanical allodynia, pain.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations