Hintonia latiflora

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Coutarea pterosperma
• Portlandia pterosperma
• Coutarea latiflora
• Hintonia latiflora var. leiantha

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Gentianales. It is a member of the Rubiaceae family and is classified under the genus Hintonia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across various regions throughout the nation of Mexico. Its presence can be identified in the central part of the country, specifically within Mexico Central. Additionally, it inhabits the diverse landscapes found in Mexico Northeast and Mexico Northwest. The species also extends its range into the areas categorized as Mexico Southwest. Finally, the geographical reach of this medicinal plant includes the tropical and subtropical zones of Mexico Southeast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Hintonia latiflora is characterized by its growth habit as a phanerophyte, as it maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated woody stems above the ground level. Within its ecological niche, the species exhibits structural complexity that can occasionally align with the characteristics of a nanophanerophyte, depending on the specific environmental conditions and the height of its woody shoots. This life form allows the plant to navigate its habitat by utilizing its perennial woody structure to survive seasonal changes, establishing a stable presence through its persistent stem system.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Hintonia latiflora is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that can reach a maximum plant height of 12 m. It functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial existence rather than being aquatic or semiaquatic. Unlike climbing vines or lianas, this species is strictly self-supporting and does not exhibit obligatory or facultative climbing habits.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological profile of Hintonia latiflora is characterized by specific structural properties within its vegetative tissues, particularly regarding its stem composition. The stem specific density (SSD) of the plant exhibits a highly consistent morphological pattern, showing no variance across different samples. The recorded SSD_min is 740 mg/cm³, which aligns perfectly with the SSD_mean of 740 mg/cm³, as well as the SSD_max of 740 mg/cm³. This uniformity in density suggests a highly stabilized cellular arrangement and a consistent ratio of lignified tissue to parenchymatous cells throughout the stem structure, contributing to its overall physical integrity and mechanical stability.

Stem specific density (SSD) min:

740 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproductive process of Hintonia latiflora is characterized by the production of fruit classified as a capsule, which is a dehiscence-type structure that splits open at maturity to release its seeds. The seeds produced by this species are notably small and uniform in their dimensions, with a consistent seed length of 0.11 mm, as indicated by the minimum, maximum, and mean values. In terms of weight, the seeds exhibit some variability, with a minimum mass of 0.00087 g and a maximum mass of 0.0031 g, resulting in an average seed mass of approximately 0.0021575 g.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Fruit type :

capsule

Seed length mean:

0.11 mm

Seed mass max:

0.0031 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0021575 g

Seed mass min:

0.00087 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Hintonia latiflora has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem, leaf.

Stem

1. Journal of natural products
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Hintonia latiflora has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 4-phenylcoumarins, CHLOROGENIC ACID, Coutareagenin, Desoxycordifolinic acid, Thielavin A.

4-phenylcoumarins

1. Journal of natural products
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Frontiers in pharmacology

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Frontiers in pharmacology
3. Journal of natural products

Coutareagenin

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Desoxycordifolinic acid

1. Journal of natural products

Thielavin A

1. Phytochemistry

Thielavin J

1. Phytochemistry

Thielavin K

1. Phytochemistry

Ursolic acid

1. Journal of natural products

VERMELHOTIN

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Hintonia latiflora has 5 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antihyperglycemic, Antimalarial, Gastroprotective, Hypoglycemic.

Antidiabetic

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antihyperglycemic

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Antimalarial

1. Journal of natural products

Gastroprotective

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Hypoglycemic

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Conditions

Hintonia latiflora has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antidiabetic, antihyperglycemic, diabetes mellitus, gastric ulcers, gastrointestinal disorders.

Antidiabetic

1. Journal of natural products

Antihyperglycemic

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Diabetes mellitus

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Gastric ulcers

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Gastrointestinal disorders

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Hyperglycemia

1. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Hypoglycemic

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Preparations

Hintonia latiflora has 9 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include EtOAc extract of the stem bark, Methanolic extracts, aqueous extract of the leaves, aqueous extracts from the leaves, bio-active organic extract.

Etoac extract of the stem bark

1. Journal of natural products

Methanolic extracts

1. Journal of medicinal food

Aqueous extract of the leaves

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aqueous extracts from the leaves

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Bio-active organic extract

1. Phytochemistry

Extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Infusion of the leaves

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Infusions of the leaves

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Organic extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology