Luehea paniculata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Luehea parvifolia

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. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malvales, it is specifically situated in the family Malvaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Luehea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of locations across the South American continent. In Northern South America, its presence has been documented in Suriname. Moving toward the western part of the continent, it can be found in both Bolivia and Peru. Within Brazil, its distribution is quite broad, spanning from the West-Central region to the Northeast. These various locations highlight the widespread natural range of Luehea paniculata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Luehea paniculata is characterized by its adaptability across diverse Brazilian biomes, including the Cerrado (latu sensu), Ciliary or Gallery Forests, Seasonal Deciduous Forests, and Ombrophilous (Pluvial) Forests. This species thrives within a specific altitudinal gradient, occurring from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 500 meters above mean sea level (m AMSL). Its presence in such varied habitats—ranging from the more open, seasonal structures of the Cerrado to the denser, more humid environments of gallery and ombrophilous forests—indicates a high degree of ecological plasticity regarding moisture availability and forest structure.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Luehea paniculata is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain a long-term presence within its ecological niche through multiple growing seasons. As a deciduous plant, it undergoes a seasonal cycle of shedding its foliage, a process typically synchronized with periods of environmental stress or specific climatic shifts to conserve moisture and energy. This lifecycle enables the plant to persist over many years, navigating seasonal changes by entering periods of dormancy before regenerating its canopy.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Luehea paniculata is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically classified as a tree. This species is a self-supporting plant, lacking any climbing or vining habits, and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. It is a strictly terrestrial plant, showing no aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of its physical dimensions, the plant reaches a mean height of approximately 8 meters, with the potential to attain a maximum height of up to 10 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Luehea paniculata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning it utilizes the Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide without the specialized anatomical adaptations found in C4 or CAM plants. This metabolic strategy dictates its reliance on specific environmental conditions, such as moderate temperatures and adequate water availability, to maintain efficient gas exchange and carbon assimilation. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, as it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms; consequently, its nutritional physiology is dependent on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds directly from the soil substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Luehea paniculata 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. BioMed research international

Chemicals

Luehea paniculata has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Vitexin, rosmarinic acid.

Flavonoids

1. BioMed research international

Vitexin

1. BioMed research international

rosmarinic acid

1. BioMed research international

Medicinal Uses

Luehea paniculata has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Candida albicans, fungal infections.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations