Homalolepis ferruginea

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Picrodendron calunga
• Simaba ferruginea var. blanchetii
• Aruba ferruginea
• Zwingera ferruginea
• Quassia ferruginea
• Homalolepis blanchetii
• Simaba ferruginea
• Simaba blanchetii

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 Sapindales, it is classified under the family Simaroubaceae. Specifically, its taxonomic placement is within the genus Homalolepis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide and varied geographical distribution across several major regions of Brazil. It can be found growing within the diverse ecosystems of Brazil North. Additionally, its presence extends into the landscapes of Brazil Northeast. The species is also documented throughout the territories of Brazil West-Central. Finally, its range includes the specific environmental zones located in Brazil Southeast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Homalolepis ferruginea is characterized by its adaptability to diverse Brazilian biomes, spanning from the semi-arid Caatinga (stricto sensu) to the more seasonal Cerrado (lato sensu) and the humid environments of the Floresta Ombrófila (Rainforest). This broad ecological distribution allows the species to inhabit varying moisture regimes and vegetation structures. Regarding its topographic distribution, the species is primarily found at low altitudes, with a mean elevational range of approximately 10 m AMSL (meters above sea level), indicating a preference for lowland ecosystems.

Elevational range mean:

10 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Homalolepis ferruginea is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it does not complete its life cycle in a single season like annuals or two seasons like biennials, but instead maintains established vegetative structures that facilitate long-term survival and repeated reproductive efforts. This enduring growth habit enables the plant to establish a stable presence within its ecological niche, accumulating resources over several years to support its physiological functions and periodic flowering cycles.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Homalolepis ferruginea is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a tree. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies, and maintains a terrestrial habitat rather than being aquatic or semiaquatic. Although it possesses qualities often associated with climbing structures, its growth habit is classified as self-supporting, rather than acting as an obligatory or facultative liana or vine. Additionally, the plant is strictly terrestrial in its ecological positioning, showing no epiphytic tendencies such as holoepiphytic or hemiepiphytic growth.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Homalolepis ferruginea is characterized by specialized metabolic processes adapted to its specific ecological niche, though it does not possess the biological mechanisms required to function as a nitrogen fixer. Unlike legumes or other actinorhizal plants that maintain symbiotic relationships with bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, this species relies on the uptake of inorganic nitrogen, such as nitrates and ammonium, directly from the soil through its root system. Its nutritional strategy is strictly dependent on the availability of nitrogenous compounds within the substrate, as it lacks the specialized root nodules or the necessary enzymatic pathways, such as nitrogenase activity, to facilitate biological nitrogen fixation. Consequently, its growth and physiological vigor are closely tied to the nitrogen cycling and nutrient concentrations of its immediate environment.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Homalolepis ferruginea has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 4-methoxycanthin-6-one, Canthin-6-one.

4-methoxycanthin-6-one

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Canthin-6-one

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Activities

Homalolepis ferruginea has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antinociceptive, Antiulcerogenic.

Antinociceptive

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Antiulcerogenic

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences