Luehea candicans

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

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 Malvales, it is classified under the family Malvaceae. Specifically, Luehea candicans is a member of the genus Luehea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions of the South American continent. In Western South America, its presence is specifically noted within the borders of Bolivia. Within Brazil, it is widely spread, inhabiting the West-Central, Southeast, and South regions. Additionally, its range extends into the Southern part of the continent, specifically reaching the Northeast of Argentina. Together, these locations highlight the diverse ecological areas where the species can be found.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Luehea candicans is characterized by its adaptability to diverse environmental settings, ranging from naturally occurring biomes to human-modified landscapes. It thrives within several distinct habitats, including the Cerrado (latu sensu), Ombrophilous Forest (also known as Pluvial Forest), and Anthropic Areas. This species is found across a broad altitudinal gradient, occupying low-lying regions starting from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 500 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Luehea candicans is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived woody plant, it undergoes a developmental progression from seed germination to maturity, establishing a robust structural presence within its ecosystem. Its perennial nature ensures a continuous cycle of growth and resource accumulation, enabling the plant to survive seasonal fluctuations and contribute to the stability of its habitat over many years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Luehea candicans is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, reaching a mean height of approximately 10 m, with a maximum height potential of up to 15 m. As a self-supporting species, it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it grows as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The plant is strictly terrestrial, meaning it is neither aquatic nor semiaquatic, and it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, maintaining a terrestrial life habit throughout its development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Luehea candicans is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning it utilizes the Calvin cycle for carbon fixation without the specialized adaptations found in C4 or CAM plants. This metabolic strategy dictates its carbon assimilation efficiency and water-use patterns in its native environments. Furthermore, this species is not a nitrogen fixer, as it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, necessitating the uptake of nitrogen through its root system from the surrounding soil.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Luehea candicans 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. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Chemicals

Luehea candicans has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (-)-Epicatechin, Betulin, Liriodendrin, Lupeol, Vitexin.

(-)-Epicatechin

1. Natural product research

Betulin

1. Natural product research

Liriodendrin

1. Natural product research

Lupeol

1. Natural product research

Vitexin

1. Natural product research