Homalolepis cedron

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Simaba cedron
• Aruba cedron
• Quassia cedron
• Picrolemma valdivia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is positioned in the order Sapindales and the family Simaroubaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Homalolepis, specifically the species Homalolepis cedron.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range primarily concentrated within the tropical regions of Central America. It can be found growing in the diverse landscapes of Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Honduras. Additionally, its distribution extends southward through the territory of Panamá. Beyond the mainland, the species is also documented in the Caribbean region. Specifically, it inhabits the islands of Trinidad and Tobago.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Homalolepis cedron is characterized by its presence in diverse tropical environments, ranging from coastal ecosystems to dense inland forests. It thrives in habitats such as Restinga, Floresta de Terra Firme, and Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial), indicating an adaptation to both nutrient-poor sandy soils and high-humidity rainforest conditions. This species occupies a broad altitudinal gradient, occurring from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1000 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga

Life history

The life history of Homalolepis cedron is characterized by its status as a perennial species, meaning it maintains its vegetative structures and continues its growth cycle through multiple years rather than completing its life cycle in a single season. As a perennial, the plant establishes a persistent root system or base that allows it to endure various seasonal changes, enabling it to re-emerge and continue its developmental stages over an extended duration. This long-term survival strategy supports a sustained presence within its ecological niche, allowing for repeated reproductive efforts over its lifespan.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Homalolepis cedron is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, reaching a mean height of approximately 7 meters, with a maximum potential height of 8 meters. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte, remaining firmly grounded in its habitat. The plant is an independent organism that does not act as a parasite, maintaining its own nutritional requirements. In terms of its structural habit, it is described as self-supporting, lacking the climbing mechanisms of a liana or vine, which reinforces its robust, tree-like stature.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

8 m

Plant height mean:

7 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Homalolepis cedron is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic approach to carbon fixation through the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate by the enzyme RuBisCO. This metabolic strategy implies that the plant relies on standard stomatal conductance to facilitate gas exchange, making its carbon assimilation processes sensitive to environmental factors such as light intensity, temperature, and moisture availability. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition processes, the plant 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 must rely on the uptake of nitrates or ammonium present in the soil substrate to meet its nitrogen requirements for protein synthesis and cellular development.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Homalolepis cedron is centered around the production and dispersal of its specialized seeds. The developmental process culminates in the formation of seeds that vary in size depending on environmental conditions and nutrient availability. Specifically, the seed length of this species is characterized by a measurable range, with individual seeds typically measuring between a minimum of 15 mm and a maximum of 30 mm. This variation in seed dimensions plays a critical role in the plant's reproductive success and its ability to colonize new habitats within its natural ecosystem.

Seed length max:

30 mm

Seed length min:

15 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Homalolepis cedron has 16 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cedrin, Cedronine, Cedronolactone E, Cedronyline, Chaparrin.

Cedrin

1. Dr. Duke

Cedronine

1. Dr. Duke

Cedronolactone E

1. Journal of natural products

Cedronyline

1. Dr. Duke

Chaparrin

1. Journal of natural products

Chaparrinone

1. Journal of natural products

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

GLAUCARUBOL

1. Journal of natural products

Glaucarubolone

1. Journal of natural products

STARCH

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Homalolepis cedron has 10 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Absorbent, Amebicide, Antidote (Iodine), Antinesidioblastosic, Apertif.

Absorbent

1. Dr. Duke

Amebicide

1. Dr. Duke

Antidote (Iodine)

1. Dr. Duke

Antinesidioblastosic

1. Dr. Duke

Apertif

1. Dr. Duke

Emetic

1. Dr. Duke

Emollient

1. Dr. Duke

Insecticide

1. Dr. Duke

Pesticide

1. Dr. Duke

Poultice

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations