Maytenus amazonica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Monteverdia amazonica

Sources: Wikidata

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 ordered under Celastrales and falls into the family Celastraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Maytenus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range within the tropical regions of South America. Its distribution is notably recorded in the western part of the continent, specifically within Colombia. Additionally, the species can be found further east in the expansive territories of Brazil. Within the Brazilian landscape, its presence is primarily concentrated in the northern regions of the country. Consequently, these locations define the natural habitat where this medicinal species thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Maytenus amazonica is characterized by its specific adaptation to varying altitudinal gradients within its native habitat, thriving within a defined vertical niche. This species is primarily distributed across an elevational range that begins at 200 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 630 m AMSL. This specific altitudinal window suggests that the plant is specialized for lowland to lower montane tropical ecosystems, where it likely interacts with specific humidity levels and temperature regimes consistent with these elevations. Its presence within this 430-meter elevational belt indicates a preference for the environmental conditions found in these specific strata of the Amazonian landscape.

Elevational range max:

630 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Maytenus amazonica is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that reaches a maximum height of 14 meters. This species is a terrestrial plant, existing as an independent organism rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of its structural habit, it is described as a self-supporting plant, possessing the necessary woodiness to maintain its stature without the need for climbing via liana or vine mechanisms. Unlike aquatic or semiaquatic species, its biological niche is strictly land-based, exhibiting a robust and stable growth architecture.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

14 m

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Maytenus amazonica has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include AMAZOQUINONE.

AMAZOQUINONE

1. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Maytenus amazonica has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer.

Cancer

1. Journal of natural products