Goose Berry

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Goose Berry

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Phyllanthus antillanus var. hypomalacus
• Margaritaria nobilis var. hypomalaca
• Cicca chinensis
• Phyllanthus ibonensis
• Cicca antillana
• Phyllanthus heteromorphus
• Phyllanthus nobilis
• Cicca antillana var. pedicellaris
• Phyllanthus nobilis var. antillanus
• Phyllanthus nobilis var. brasiliensis
• Cicca pavoniana
• Phyllanthus nobilis var. guyanensis
• Phyllanthus nobilis var. hypomalacus
• Phyllanthus nobilis var. martii
• Cicca surinamensis
• Phyllanthus nobilis var. panamensis
• Phyllanthus nobilis var. pavonianus
• Phyllanthus nobilis var. peruvianus
• Phyllanthus nobilis var. riedelianus
• Phyllanthus pseudonobilis
• Phyllanthus antillanus var. pedicellaris
• Phyllanthus antillanus
• Phyllanthus antillanus var. concolor
• Phyllanthus sinicus
• Margaritaria nobilis var. antillana
• Diasperus antillanus

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 class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is placed in the order Malpighiales and the family Phyllanthaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Margaritaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad presence across several distinct regions of Mexico. It can be found throughout the central part of the country, specifically within Mexico Central. Its distribution extends into the coastal and inland areas of Mexico Northeast and Mexico Gulf. Additionally, the species is located in the western territories of Mexico Northwest. Finally, the plant completes its range by appearing in the region of Mexico Southwest.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Margaritaria nobilis is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse Brazilian biomes and a broad altitudinal distribution. This species can be found across a wide range of environments, including the Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar or Galeria, Floresta de Várzea, Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual, Floresta Ombrófila (pluvial), and Floresta Ombrófila Mista. Its vertical distribution is equally extensive, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to elevations of 2200 m AMSL, allowing it to inhabit both lowland tropical forests and higher montane ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Várzea, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila Mista

Life history

The life history of Margaritaria nobilis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, it exhibits characteristics of both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte, indicating a life form where the stem or woody parts are elevated above the ground level. Additionally, the plant follows a deciduous pattern, shedding its foliage as part of its seasonal biological cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Margaritaia nobilis is characterized by a versatile growth form that can manifest as either a shrub or a tree, reaching significant dimensions with a mean height of 8 m and a maximum height of up to 30 m. This species exhibits a woody structure and is classified as a terrestrial plant, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite. In terms of its physical habit, it is a self-supporting plant, lacking the climbing characteristics of vines or lianas, and it does not function as an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Margaritaia nobilis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. In terms of leaf architecture and resource allocation, the plant exhibits a consistent Leaf Dry Matter Content (LDMC) with a recorded mean, minimum, and maximum value of 317 mg/g, indicating a stable level of biomass density within its foliage. Additionally, regarding its nutrient acquisition capabilities, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil through its root system.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

317 mg/g

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Margaritaria nobilis is characterized by specific morphological and biological traits that govern its propagation. The plant produces dry fruits, which contain seeds with varying dimensions and weights. These seeds exhibit a mean length of 11 mm, ranging from a minimum of 6 mm to a maximum of 15 mm, and a mean volume of 210 mm³, with individual volumes fluctuating between 140 mm³ and 280 mm³. In terms of mass, the seeds have a mean weight of 0.01125 g, with a minimum recorded mass of 0.008 g and a maximum of 0.0145 g. Regarding its reproductive strategy, the species does not exhibit self-fertilization, and its dispersal is classified as zoochorous, relying on animals for the movement of its seeds.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

dry

Seed length max:

15 mm

Seed length mean:

11 mm

Seed length min:

6 mm

Seed mass max:

0.0145 g

Seed mass mean:

0.01125 g

Seed mass min:

0.008 g

Seed volume max:

280 mm³

Seed volume mean:

210 mm³

Seed volume min:

140 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Margaritaria nobilis has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Hydrolyzable Tannins.

Flavonoids

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Hydrolyzable Tannins

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Margaritaria nobilis has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include abscesses, nociception.

Abscesses

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Nociception

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)