Himatanthus obovatus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Plumeria velutina var. boliviana
• Plumeria puberula
• Plumeria obovata
• Himatanthus obovatus var. puberulus
• Plumeria oligoneura
• Himatanthus obovatus var. velutinus
• Plumeria warmingii
• Plumeria velutina
• Plumeria hilariana
• Plumeria latifolia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianales, it falls under the family Apocynaceae. It is specifically identified by its genus, Himatanthus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several distinct regions of the South American continent. In Northern South America, its presence is documented within the territory of Guyana. Moving toward the western portion of the continent, the species can be found in Bolivia. Within Brazil, the plant spans a vast area including the West-Central region. Finally, its range extends through the Northeast and Southeast regions of Brazil as well.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Himatanthus obovatus is fundamentally defined by its adaptation to highly specialized and often nutrient-poor environments within the Brazilian landscapes. This species is characteristic of the Campo Rupestre, where it thrives in rocky outcrops and sandy soils under intense solar radiation, as well as in the Carrasco and the broader Cerrado (latu sensu) biome. In these habitats, the plant has evolved to withstand seasonal water fluctuations and acidic soil conditions typical of these tropical savannas and rupestrian grasslands. Its presence in these distinct ecosystems indicates a high degree of resilience to fire cycles and periodic drought, allowing it to occupy ecological niches where vegetation is often stunted or highly specialized due to soil constraints and climatic variability.

Habitat :

Campo Rupestre, Carrasco, Cerrado (lato sensu)

Life history

The life history of Himatanthus obovatus is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term presence within its natural ecosystem. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated branches, though it can also be categorized under the nanophanerophyte life form depending on its specific growth stage and environmental conditions. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, undergoing seasonal leaf shedding which influences its resource management and metabolic cycles throughout the year.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Himatanthus obovatus is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which functions as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber or liana. This terrestrial species typically reaches an average plant height of 4.5 m, though it can grow to a maximum height of 6 m. It is an independent organism, functioning without parasitic dependencies, and is strictly terrestrial in its ecological habit, lacking any epiphytic or aquatic characteristics.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6 m

Plant height mean:

4.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Himatanthus obovatus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells. This metabolic strategy dictates its efficient carbon assimilation under typical environmental conditions, though it lacks the specialized adaptations found in C4 or CAM plants. Furthermore, this species is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it does not possess a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, and therefore relies on the uptake of available nitrogenous compounds from the soil to support its metabolic processes and growth.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Himatanthus obovatus has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiprotozoal.

Antiprotozoal

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Conditions

Himatanthus obovatus has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Leishmania donovani.

Leishmania donovani

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz