Lithraea molleoides

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lithraea ternifolia
• Rhus clausseniana
• Schinus ternifolia
• Rhus commersonii
• Rhus meridionalis
• Lithraea gilliesii
• Lithraea lorentzii
• Schinus molleoides
• Lithraea aroeirinha
• Schinus terebinthifolia var. ternifolia
• Lithraea molleoides var. lorentziana

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Sapindales, falling into the family Anacardiaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Lithraea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a remarkably wide and fragmented geographical distribution across several continents. In Northern Africa, its presence can be identified within the borders of Tunisia. Moving across the Atlantic, it is found in the Southwestern United States, specifically in California, as well as throughout Mexico Central. The species also extends into Western South America, where it inhabits regions of Bolivia. Finally, its range includes the West-Central portion of Brazil.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lithraea molleoides is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) to high-altitude regions reaching up to 2500 m AMSL. This species demonstrates significant adaptability to varying topographical gradients, allowing it to inhabit diverse ecological niches across a wide vertical range. In terms of preferred environment, it is notably found within the Cerrado biome, where it integrates into the specific soil and climatic conditions unique to these tropical savanna ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado

Life history

The life history of Lithraea molleoides is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the individual to persist across multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation typical of trees or large shrubs. This species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, retaining its foliage throughout the year to facilitate continuous photosynthetic activity.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lithraea molleoides is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a self-supporting tree. As a terrestrial organism, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte or a parasite, maintaining an independent lifestyle. The plant typically reaches a height with a mean stature of approximately 10 m. In terms of its structural habit, it is classified as a self-supporting tree rather than a climber, liana, or vine, ensuring its stability through its robust, woody development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lithraea molleoides is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism where carbon fixation occurs primarily through the enzyme Rubisco during the Calvin cycle, typically optimized for environments where water availability is sufficient to allow stomatal conductance. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships, this species is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized root nodules containing diazotrophic bacteria necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds directly from the soil matrix.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lithraea molleoides is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily facilitated by insects, with specific involvement from bees to ensure successful fertilization. Following pollination, the plant produces fleshy fruits that serve as the vessel for its progeny. The seeds contained within these fruits exhibit a highly consistent morphology, maintaining a uniform seed volume with a minimum, maximum, and mean value of 21 mm³.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed volume max:

21 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lithraea molleoides 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. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Chemicals

Lithraea molleoides has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (Z,Z)-5-(Trideca-4,7-dienyl)resorcinol, 1,3-dihydroxy-5-(tridec-4',7'-dienyl)benzene, Gallic acid, RUTIN, caffeic acid.

(Z,Z)-5-(Trideca-4,7-dienyl)resorcinol

1. Journal of natural products

1,3-dihydroxy-5-(tridec-4',7'-dienyl)benzene

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Gallic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

RUTIN

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

caffeic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

catechol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

ferulic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

mannitol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Lithraea molleoides has 6 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiarthritic, Antiseptic, Antiulcer, Antiulcerogenic, Diuretic.

Antiarthritic

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Antiseptic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiulcer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiulcerogenic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Diuretic

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Tonic

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Medicinal Uses

Lithraea molleoides has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Chlamydia pneumoniae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Helicobacter pylori, diuretic, gastric ulcers.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations