pearl-fruit

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Pearl-fruit
• pearlfruit

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Margyricarpus imberbis
• Margyricarpus laevis
• Margyricarpus patagonicus
• Margyricarpus pinnatus var. hirsutus
• Margyricarpus setosus var. paucifoliolatus
• Empetrum pinnatum
• Margyricarpus setosus var. patagonicus
• Margyricarpus setosus
• Ancistrum barbatum

Regional and Traditional Names

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 Rosales and the family Rosaceae, it is specifically classified under the genus Margyricarpus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the South American continent. It can be found throughout several regions of Western South America, including Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador. Additionally, its range extends into Peru within the same western longitudinal belt. Beyond these western territories, the species is also present in the Brazil West-Central region. Consequently, its habitat spans both the Andean corridor and parts of the Brazilian interior.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Margyricarpus pinnatus is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) to elevations as high as 3600 m AMSL. This species exhibits significant ecological plasticity, occupying diverse environmental niches ranging from the low-lying, coastal environments of Restingas to the open, grassy landscapes of Campo Limpo. Such a wide range in elevation and habitat variety suggests an ability to adapt to varying climatic conditions and soil compositions across different topographical gradients.

Elevational range max:

3600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campo Limpo, Restinga

Life history

The life history of Margyricarpus pinnatus is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habit, it is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the permanent shoots are located close to the ground level. Additionally, this species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and present throughout much of its life cycle rather than shedding seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Margyricarpus pinnatus is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically categorized as a shrub. This plant is a terrestrial species that functions as a self-supporting organism, exhibiting neither climbing nor epiphytic tendencies. It is an independent species that does not exhibit parasitic behavior. In terms of stature, the plant maintains a relatively low profile, with a mean and maximum plant height of approximately 0.3 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Margyricarpus pinnatus is characterized by specific morphological and metabolic adaptations. The plant utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a process typical of many temperate and tropical species that involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle. Its leaf morphology is relatively small, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 1 cm. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, relying instead on soil-available nitrogen sources for its nutritional requirements.

Leaf length max:

1 cm

Leaf length min:

0.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Margyricarpus pinnatus is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. This insect-mediated pollination process ensures the genetic exchange necessary for the plant's life cycle. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces seeds that exhibit a highly uniform mass; the seed mass is constant, with a mean, minimum, and maximum value all recorded at 0.00605 g. This precise and consistent seed size suggests a stabilized reproductive strategy within its ecological niche.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

0.00605 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Margyricarpus pinnatus has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include benzyl-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside.

benzyl-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside

1. Phytochemistry

Preparations

Margyricarpus pinnatus has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aerial parts.

Aerial parts

1. Phytochemistry