Plumeria bracteata

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Plumeria bracteata

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Plumeria speciosa
• Himatanthus lancifolius
• Plumeria ambigua
• Himatanthus speciosus
• Plumeria bracteata
• Plumeria floribunda var. acutifolia
• Plumeria floribunda var. calycina
• Plumeria floribunda var. crassipes
• Plumeria lancifolia
• Plumeria lancifolia var. major
• Plumeria lancifolia var. microphylla
• Plumeria martii

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, it is identified by the genus Himatanthus, specifically as the species Himatanthus bracteatus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found across the tropical regions of South America. In Northern South America, its presence is documented in French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. It also extends its range into the country of Venezuela within the same northern sector. Furthermore, the distribution reaches into Western South America, specifically within Ecuador. Consequently, these specific regions define the known geographical footprint of Himatanthus bracteatus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Himatanthus bracteatus is closely tied to specific environmental conditions within the Floresta Estacional Decidual habitat. This species thrives within a defined altitudinal gradient, typically occupying lowland and sub-montane areas. Its distribution is concentrated between an elevational range starting at a minimum of 235 m AMSL and reaching a maximum of 375 m AMSL, positioning it within the humid and seasonal forest ecosystems characteristic of these specific elevations.

Elevational range max:

375 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

235 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Estacional Decidual

Life history

The life history of Himatanthus bracteatus is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, ensuring its long-term presence within its natural ecosystem. As a member of the phanerophyte life forms, it maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated branches well above the ground level, a structural adaptation that defines its growth habit. Specifically, its development follows the characteristics of a phanerophyte, allowing it to establish a robust, long-lived presence through continuous seasonal cycles.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Himatanthus bracteatus is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that reaches a mean height of 13 m, with a maximum potential height of up to 15 m. As a self-supporting plant, it does not exhibit climbing behavior such as a liana or vine, nor does it function as an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. The species is an independent organism, functioning without parasitic tendencies, and is classified as a terrestrial plant rather than an aquatic or semiaquatic one.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

13 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Himatanthus bracteatus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes. The plant exhibits specific leaf morphology and density traits, featuring a mean leaf size of 79.222 cm² and a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 80.766 cm²/g, indicating its structural leaf investment strategies. In terms of biomass and wood characteristics, the species possesses a mean stem specific density (SSD) of 530 mg/cm³. Additionally, regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, it does not function as a nitrogen fixer.

Leaf size mean:

79.222 cm²

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

80.766 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

530 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Himatanthus bracteatus is characterized by a complex interplay of dispersal mechanisms designed to ensure the colonization of diverse habitats. The plant exhibits a multifaceted dispersal syndrome, incorporating elements of anemochory, where wind aids in the movement of seeds, as well as zoochory, utilizing animals to transport reproductive units. Additionally, the species demonstrates tendencies toward autochory, or self-dispersal, and hydrochory, leveraging water currents for seed distribution, which collectively points to an unspecialized dispersal strategy. This combination of traits allows the plant to utilize various environmental vectors to spread its offspring across different ecological niches.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Himatanthus bracteatus 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 stem.

Stem

1. Current Alzheimer research

Chemicals

Himatanthus bracteatus has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ULEINE, (+)-uleine.

ULEINE

1. Current Alzheimer research
2. Fitoterapia

(+)-uleine

1. Fitoterapia

Conditions

Himatanthus bracteatus has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer.

Cancer

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Preparations

Himatanthus bracteatus has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include stem barks.

Stem barks

1. Current Alzheimer research