Ita palm

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• ite palm
• tree-of-life
• moriche palm

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Mauritia flexuosa var. venezuelana
• Mauritia minor
• Mauritia sagus
• Mauritia setigera
• Mauritia sphaerocarpa
• Mauritia vinifera

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 the subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Arecales and the family Arecaceae, it is classified under the genus Mauritia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence throughout several specific tropical regions. In the Caribbean, its range includes the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Moving to northern South America, it can be found across the territory of French Guiana. The species also inhabits the vast landscapes of Guyana and Suriname. Finally, its geographical distribution extends into the nation of Venezuela.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Mauritia flexuosa is defined by its specific niche within tropical wetland ecosystems, where it thrives across an elevational range spanning from 40 m to a maximum of 450 m AMSL. This species is characterized by its integration into the forest structure, specifically occupying the canopy layer, where it plays a structural role in its habitat. In terms of biological interactions, the plant possesses defensive mechanisms, as indicated by the presence of specific defense traits that help it navigate its environment and resist herbivory or environmental stressors.

Defense :

yes

Elevational range max:

450 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

40 m AMSL

Habitat :

canopy

Life history

The life history of Mauritia flexuosa is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain a stable presence within its ecosystem over many years. As a phanerophyte, the plant develops significant structural height, with its photosynthetic organs held well above the ground level. This phanerophyte life form is consistent across its developmental stages, ensuring robust growth in its typical habitats. Furthermore, the species exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally, providing continuous metabolic activity and structural stability.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Mauritia flexuosa is characterized by its robust, woody growth form, functioning as a self-supporting tree that typically reaches an average plant height of 25 m, with a maximum height of 25 m. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte, maintaining an independent life cycle without parasitic tendencies. The plant exhibits an erect shoot orientation and is classified as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber, liana, or vine. Its physical dimensions are significant, featuring a maximum diameter at breast height (DBH) of 175 cm and a maximum shoot length of 3500 cm.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

DBH max:

175 cm

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

25 m

Shoot length max:

3500 cm

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Mauritia flexuosa is characterized by a specific set of metabolic and morphological adaptations suited to its environment. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and energy production. Morphologically, it possesses substantial leaf structures that can reach a maximum leaf length of 250 cm, facilitating efficient light interception. Regarding its protective and structural features, the plant exhibits the presence of leaf spines. Furthermore, in terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships, Mauritia flexuosa is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on soil nitrogen availability rather than biological nitrogen fixation to meet its nutritional requirements.

Leaf length max:

250 cm

Leaf spines :

yes

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Mauritia flexuosa is characterized by a complex fruit and seed morphology optimized for specific dispersal mechanisms. The plant produces fleshy fruits that are brown in color, typically measuring an average of 7 cm in length and 5 cm in width, though dimensions can vary from a minimum length of 4 cm to a maximum of 6 cm. These fleshy fruits contain seeds that exhibit a consistent volume of 6400 mm³. The seeds vary in mass, with a mean weight of 19 g, ranging from a minimum of 13.84 g to a maximum of 24.16 g. In terms of reproductive biology, self-fertilization is absent, indicating a reliance on cross-pollination to ensure genetic diversity. Dispersal follows a zoochorous syndrome, meaning the seeds are primarily spread by animals, which plays a crucial role in the colonization and distribution of the species within its habitat.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit colour :

brown

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

6 cm

Fruit length mean:

7 cm

Fruit length min:

4 cm

Fruit width mean:

5 cm

Seed mass max:

24.16 g

Seed mass mean:

19 g

Seed mass min:

13.84 g

Seed volume max:

6400 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Mauritia flexuosa has 3 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root, stem.

Leaf

1. Microscopy and microanalysis : the official journal of Microscopy Society of America, Microbeam Analysis Society, Microscopical Society of Canada

Root

1. Microscopy and microanalysis : the official journal of Microscopy Society of America, Microbeam Analysis Society, Microscopical Society of Canada

Stem

1. Microscopy and microanalysis : the official journal of Microscopy Society of America, Microbeam Analysis Society, Microscopical Society of Canada

Chemicals

Mauritia flexuosa has 20 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3,11-Dioxours-12-en-28-oic acid, Ash, CALCIUM, Carotenoids, Elaidic acid.

3,11-Dioxours-12-en-28-oic acid

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

Carotenoids

1. Food chemistry

Elaidic acid

1. Fitoterapia

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

PHOSPHORUS

1. Dr. Duke

Tocopherols

1. Food chemistry

arabinose

1. Microscopy and microanalysis : the official journal of Microscopy Society of America, Microbeam Analysis Society, Microscopical Society of Canada

Activities

Mauritia flexuosa has 168 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic, Analgesic.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of molecular sciences

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

AntiAGE

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCFS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCTS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCrohn's

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Mauritia flexuosa has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, depression, headaches, inflammation.

Alzheimer's disease

1. Natural product research

Anxiety

1. Fitoterapia

Depression

1. Fitoterapia

Headaches

1. Natural product research

Inflammation

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Oxidative stress

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Preparations

Mauritia flexuosa has 4 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Lyophilised Aguaje, dichloromethane/methanol extract, fruits, oil.

Lyophilised aguaje

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Dichloromethane/methanol extract

1. Natural product research

Fruits

1. Food chemistry

Oil

1. Food chemistry