cheken

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• cheken
• white Chilean myrtle

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Eugenia pulchra
• Myrtus gayana
• Myrceugenella chequen
• Myrceugenella chequen var. myrtomimeta
• Myrtus uliginosa
• Myrtus gayana var. major
• Eugenia myrtomimeta
• Eugenia chequen
• Eugenia gayana
• Luma gayana
• Myrtus uliginosa f. major
• Eugenia cheken
• Myrtus chequen
• Myrceugenella langerfeldtii
• Myrceugenella gayana

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 and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Myrtales and the family Myrtaceae. Finally, the species is identified by the genus Luma.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of habitats across the southern half of the continent. In Western South America, its presence is well-documented throughout Bolivia and Peru. Moving toward the southern regions, the species extends its reach into the central parts of Chile. Furthermore, the distribution continues to stretch into the southern territories of Chile. Consequently, the geographical range of Luma chequen spans multiple countries and distinct climatic zones.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Luma chequen is characterized by its broad adaptability across diverse altitudinal gradients, allowing it to inhabit a wide variety of landscapes. This plant thrives within an elevational range that extends from sea level up to a maximum of 1100 m AMSL. By occupying this span from 0 to 1100 m AMSL, it can be found in both low-lying coastal or riparian environments and mid-elevation montane habitats, suggesting a tolerance for varying temperature regimes and atmospheric pressures. This wide distribution enables the species to utilize different ecological niches, ranging from humid lowland zones to more temperate, elevated terrains.

Elevational range max:

1100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Luma chequen is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem over multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth and survival strategy, the plant exhibits complex life forms, functioning as both a phanerophyte, where its stem branches are elevated above the ground, and a nanophanerophyte, indicating a compact growth habit with relatively short stems. This combination of life forms allows the plant to maintain a persistent presence within its specific environmental niche throughout its extended lifecycle.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Luma chequen is characterized by a woody structure that manifests in both tree and shrub growth forms. It is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, meaning it does not exhibit parasitic behavior. In terms of its vertical development, the plant reaches a mean height of approximately 9 meters, though it is capable of attaining a maximum height of up to 15 meters. Although it possesses characteristics of a self-supporting climber, it is primarily distinguished by its robust, self-supporting growth habit rather than being an obligatory or facultative vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

9 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Luma chequen is characterized by a metabolic framework governed by the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and energy utilization efficiency. Within this C3 mechanism, the plant utilizes the enzyme RuBisCO to catalyze the initial fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide into three-carbon molecules during the Calvin cycle. This physiological trait implies that the plant's photosynthetic rate is highly dependent on environmental factors such as light intensity, ambient temperature, and moisture availability, as the C3 pathway is susceptible to photorespiration under high-temperature or water-stressed conditions. Consequently, its gas exchange dynamics and stomatal conductance are intrinsically linked to its ability to maintain internal CO2 concentrations while balancing transpiration losses, reflecting a specialized adaptation to its specific ecological niche.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Luma chequen has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthocyanins, Cyanidin 3-glucoside.

Anthocyanins

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Cyanidin 3-glucoside

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)