Licania densiflora

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant is primarily found across several regions in northern South America. Its range extends through the territories of French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. Additionally, it can be located within the borders of Venezuela. In the country of Brazil, its distribution is specifically noted in the northern region. These combined locations define the natural geographical footprint of Licania densiflora.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Licania densiflora is characterized by its presence within the Floresta Ombrófila (Ombrophilous Forest), also known as the tropical rainforest, where it thrives in high-moisture, high-humidity environments. This species is typically found at relatively low altitudes, with an average elevational range of approximately 150 m AMSL (meters above sea level). Within these dense, rain-fed ecosystems, its survival is closely tied to the consistent precipitation and complex stratification of the forest canopy, which provides the specific microclimatic conditions necessary for its growth and development.

Elevational range mean:

150 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Licania densiflora is characterized by its long-term survival strategy as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. Structurally, the plant is classified as a phanerophyte, a life form defined by the positioning of its perennating buds high above the ground on woody stems or branches. This phanerophyte growth habit provides the plant with the necessary structural resilience to withstand environmental pressures, ensuring its continued development and reproductive success over its extended lifespan.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Licania densiflora is characterized by its stature as a large, woody tree that can reach a mean height of 25 m, with a maximum potential height of up to 30 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial life habit. The plant is an independent organism, functioning without parasitic dependencies, and is classified as a self-supporting growth form rather than a climber, liana, or vine. Its structural integrity is defined by a robust, woody composition typical of its tree growth form.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Licania densiflora is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide during the light-independent reactions. This metabolic process indicates that the plant lacks the specialized carbon-concentrating mechanisms found in C4 or CAM species, making its carbon assimilation efficiency highly dependent on ambient temperature and moisture availability. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, the species is not a nitrogen fixer; it does not possess a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, relying instead on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds directly from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Licania densiflora 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Fitoterapia

Preparations

Licania densiflora has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Dried leaves.

Dried leaves

1. Fitoterapia