Himatanthus articulatus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Himatanthus sucuuba
• Plumeria microcalyx
• Plumeria sucuuba
• Himatanthus rigidus
• Plumeria articulata
• Plumeria floribunda

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. Within the order Gentianales, it is classified under the family Apocynaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is completed within the genus Himatanthus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern concentrated within the tropical regions of the Americas. In Central America, its presence is documented within the borders of Panamá. Moving into Northern South America, it can be found across the vast territories of Venezuela. The species also inhabits the Guianas, specifically occupying French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. Together, these locations define the primary geographical range for Himatanthus articulatus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Himatanthus articulatus is characterized by its adaptability to diverse landscapes, ranging from undisturbed natural environments to human-modified areas. It is commonly found inhabiting anthropogenic areas, Cerrado (latu sensu), terra firme forests, and the Amazonian savanna. The species thrives across a broad altitudinal gradient, occupying an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta de Terra Firme, Savana Amazônica

Life history

The life history of Himatanthus articulatus is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist 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 primary life form. This species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that it retains its foliage throughout the year to facilitate continuous photosynthetic activity.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Himatanthus articulatus is characterized by its robust, woody growth form, functioning as a self-supporting tree. It typically reaches an average height of 12 m, though it possesses the capacity to grow as large as 40 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, growing independently in its habitat without the need for host plants or specialized semi-aquatic adaptations. The plant's structure is characterized by a stable, non-climbing habit, maintaining a self-supporting architecture rather than functioning as a liana or vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

40 m

Plant height mean:

12 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Himatanthus articulatus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in varying environmental conditions. As a plant utilizing the C3 mechanism, it fixes atmospheric carbon dioxide directly through the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle, a process that typically requires moderate temperatures and sufficient water availability to maintain optimal gas exchange via its stomata. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition capabilities, this species is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms; instead, it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium present in the soil through its root system to satisfy its nitrogen requirements for protein synthesis and growth.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Himatanthus articulatus involves a complex interplay of biological mechanisms and dispersal strategies designed to ensure species propagation. The plant utilizes a variety of dispersal syndromes to facilitate the movement of its offspring across different environments, exhibiting traits that are anemochorous, zoochorous, autochorous, hydrochorous, and unspecialized. This multi-modal approach allows the seeds to be spread by wind (anemochory), transported by animals (zoochory), released through self-ejection mechanisms (autochory), or carried by water currents (hydrochory). By employing these diverse methods alongside unspecialized dispersal tactics, the species maximizes its ability to colonize new habitats and navigate varying ecological landscapes.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Himatanthus articulatus has 2 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem, leaf.

Stem

1. Planta medica
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Leaf

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Himatanthus articulatus has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2'-O-Methylperlatolic acid, Confluentic acid, Fulvoplumierin, Isoplumericin, Lupeol acetate.

2'-O-Methylperlatolic acid

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Confluentic acid

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Fulvoplumierin

1. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Isoplumericin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Lupeol acetate

1. Planta medica

Plumericin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Triterpenes

1. Planta medica

alpha-Amyrin

1. Planta medica

triterpene

1. Planta medica

Activities

Himatanthus articulatus has 6 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antiproliferative, Antiulcer.

Analgesic

1. Planta medica

Antibacterial

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Antifungal

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Antiproliferative

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiulcer

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Himatanthus articulatus has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, breast cancer, cancer.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations