Handroanthus impetiginosus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tecoma adenophylla
• Gelseminum avellanedae
• Tecoma impetiginosa
• Tecoma integra
• Tabebuia schunkevigoi
• Tabebuia palmeri
• Tecoma avellanedae var. alba
• Tecoma ipe var. integra
• Tabebuia ipe var. integra
• Tabebuia impetiginosa
• Tecoma avellanedae
• Tabebuia avellanedae
• Tabebuia dugandii
• Tabebuia nicaraguensis
• Tecoma ipe var. integrifolia
• Tecoma ipe f. leucotricha
• Handroanthus avellanedae

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Lamiales, it is classified under the family Bignoniaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Handroanthus, specifically the species Handroanthus impetiginosus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several distinct regions of North and Central America. Within Mexico, it can be found spanning from the central territories to the southwestern landscapes. Its presence further extends into the southeast portion of Mexico as well. Moving into Central America, the species is documented within the borders of El Salvador. Finally, its geographical range reaches south to include the country of Costa Rica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Handroanthus impetiginosus is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and a broad altitudinal distribution. This species thrives across a wide elevational gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to altitudes of 1800 m AMSL. Its habitat preferences are highly varied, allowing it to colonize multiple distinct biomes and landscapes. It is commonly found in anthropized areas (Área Antrópica) and rocky outcrop vegetation (Vegetação Sobre Afloramentos Rochosos), as well as within the complex ecosystems of the Cerrado (latu sensu) and the Amazonian Savannah (Savana Amazônica). Furthermore, its presence extends to various forest types, including Deciduous Seasonal Forests (Floresta Estacional Decidual), Ombrophilous Forests (Floresta Ombrófila, including both rain forests and mixed ombrophilous forests), and Carrasco formations, demonstrating a high degree of ecological plasticity across different moisture and vegetation regimes.

Elevational range max:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Carrasco, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila Mista, Savana Amazônica, Vegetação Sobre Afloramentos Rochosos

Life history

The life history of Handroanthus impetiginosus is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that defines its growth habit and survival strategy. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its leaves periodically, which is often synchronized with its dramatic flowering cycles. Throughout its life cycle, its development follows the patterns typical of a phanerophyte, utilizing its elevated shoot system to thrive within its ecological niche.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Handroanthus impetiginosus is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, capable of reaching significant dimensions in the wild. It typically exhibits a mean plant height of approximately 20 m, though it can reach a maximum height of up to 30 m. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently in its environment without functioning as an epiphyte or a parasite. The plant is classified as self-supporting, possessing a sturdy, woody structure that does not require climbing or liana-like behavior to maintain its stature.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Handroanthus impetiginosus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits a highly consistent leaf dry matter content (LDMC), with a recorded mean, minimum, and maximum value of 600 mg/g, indicating a stable structural density within its foliar tissues. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on soil-available nitrogen sources to support its growth and physiological development.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

600 mg/g

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Handroanthus impetiginosus is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit specific morphological and weight-based variations. Analysis of the seed mass reveals a mean weight of approximately 0.128715 g, indicating a relatively consistent energy investment per propagule. However, there is measurable variability within the population, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.0901 g to a maximum of 0.19276 g. This range in seed mass suggests a degree of plasticity in resource allocation during the reproductive phase, which may influence seedling establishment and early survival rates in its natural habitat.

Seed mass max:

0.19276 g

Seed mass mean:

0.128715 g

Seed mass min:

0.0901 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Handroanthus impetiginosus 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, root.

Leaf

1. Environmental technology

Root

1. Environmental technology

Chemicals

Handroanthus impetiginosus has 32 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include lapachol, 1-HYDROXYANTHRAQUINONE, 1-methoxy anthraquinone, 2,3-Dimethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone, 2-Hydroxy methyl anthraquinone.

lapachol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Genetics and molecular biology

1-HYDROXYANTHRAQUINONE

1. Dr. Duke

1-methoxy anthraquinone

1. Dr. Duke

2,3-Dimethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone

1. Dr. Duke

2-Hydroxy methyl anthraquinone

1. Dr. Duke

2-hydroxy-3-methyl-anthraquinone

1. Dr. Duke

3,4,5-TRIMETHOXYBENZOIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke

4-hydroxy benzoic acid

1. Dr. Duke

ANISIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke

Anisaldehyde

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Handroanthus impetiginosus has 211 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antiviral, 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor.

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of dietary supplements
3. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry

Antifungal

1. Journal of dietary supplements
2. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of dietary supplements

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ATPase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Handroanthus impetiginosus has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations