mago

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• mago

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hernandezia sonora
• Hernandia sonora var. guadeloupensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Laurales, falling into the family Hernandiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Hernandia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of habitats across both North America and the Caribbean. Within Mexico, its presence is documented in several distinct regions, including the Central, Northeast, and Gulf areas. It also thrives in the Southwestern portion of the Mexican territory. Beyond the mainland, the species extends its range into the Caribbean island of Cuba. Consequently, the distribution of Hernandia sonora spans multiple ecological zones across these varied locations.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Hernandia sonora is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. Throughout its lifespan, the plant maintains a consistent foliage profile, as it is an evergreen species that retains its leaves year-round rather than shedding them seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hernandia sonora is characterized by a woody structure that exhibits versatility in its development, manifesting primarily as a tree or a shrub. This plant demonstrates a significant vertical presence, with an average plant height reaching approximately 15 m. In terms of its growth habit and climbing capacity, it is classified as self-supporting, lacking the obligatory or facultative requirements of a liana or vine, which allows it to maintain its structural integrity as a standalone woody organism.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Hernandia sonora is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning it utilizes the Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide directly through the enzyme Rubisco without the specialized anatomical adaptations found in C4 or CAM species. This metabolic strategy implies that the plant relies on standard stomatal conductance to manage gas exchange and transpiration, typically performing most efficiently in environments where moisture is sufficiently available to prevent photorespiration. Additionally, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, lacking the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria (such as those found in rhizobia) necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its nutritional profile and growth are dependent on the uptake of nitrogen directly from the soil in the form of nitrates or ammonium.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Hernandia sonora has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-epiaschantin, (+)-epieudesmin, (-)-Deoxypodophyllotoxin, (-)-maculatin, Bursehernin.

(+)-epiaschantin

1. Journal of natural products

(+)-epieudesmin

1. Journal of natural products

(-)-Deoxypodophyllotoxin

1. Journal of natural products

(-)-maculatin

1. Journal of natural products

Bursehernin

1. Journal of natural products

Deoxypicropodophyllin

1. Journal of natural products

Deoxypodorhizone

1. Journal of natural products

Hernanol

1. Journal of natural products

Podorhizol

1. Journal of natural products

Praderin

1. Journal of natural products