Maytenus gonoclados

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Monteverdia gonoclados
• Monteverdia robusta
• Maytenus lagoensis
• Maytenus robusta

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Celastrales, falling into the family Celastraeceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its membership in the genus Maytenus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad and diverse geographical presence throughout the vast territory of Brazil. It can be found spanning across the tropical landscapes of Brazil North and the extensive reaches of Brazil Northeast. Additionally, its distribution extends into the central regions, specifically within Brazil West-Central. The species is also widely documented throughout the fertile areas of Brazil Southeast. Finally, its range completes its national coverage by reaching into Brazil South.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Maytenus gonoclados is characterized by its significant adaptability across a diverse array of Brazilian ecosystems, ranging from coastal environments to inland forest formations. It can be found inhabiting various habitats, including Cerrado (latu sensu), Floresta Ciliar or Galeria, Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual, Floresta Ombrófila (Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila Mista, Manguezal, Restinga, and Vegetation over Rock Outcrops (Vegetação Sobre Afloramentos Rochosos). This wide distribution is supported by a broad altitudinal tolerance, with the species occurring from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to an elevation of 1100 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila Mista, Manguezal, Restinga, Vegetação Sobre Afloramentos Rochosos

Life history

The life history of Maytenus gonoclados is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. As a long-lived species, it establishes a stable presence within its ecological niche, undergoing continuous growth and maturation over many years. This perennial lifecycle allows the plant to invest significant energy into structural development and reproductive readiness, enabling it to withstand seasonal variations and contribute to the long-term stability of its habitat. Through its extended lifespan, the plant undergoes successive cycles of vegetative expansion and reproductive phases, ensuring its continued survival and propagation across the landscape.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Maytenus gonoclados is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, typically reaching a mean height of 10 m, though it can attain a maximum height of up to 13 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies and is not an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial life habit. The plant is independent in its nutritional requirements, functioning as a non-parasitic organism. In terms of its structural habit, while it possesses a tree-like growth form, it is categorized as a self-supporting plant rather than an obligatory or facultative climber, such as a liana or vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

13 m

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Maytenus gonoclados is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a standard carbon fixation process typical of many woody species in temperate or shaded environments. The plant exhibits a consistent stem specific density (SSD) of 770 mg/cm³, with the minimum, mean, and maximum values all recorded at this identical level, suggesting a highly uniform structural composition within its woody tissues. Leaf morphology is defined by a Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 65.85 cm²/g, a value that remains constant across its minimum, mean, and maximum measurements, reflecting a stable leaf mass per unit area. Additionally, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on available soil nitrogen rather than symbiotic biological nitrogen fixation to support its metabolic processes.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

65.85 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) min:

770 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Maytenus gonoclados is characterized by the production of fleshy fruits that serve as the primary vessel for its progeny. Within these fruits, the seeds exhibit highly consistent morphological dimensions, maintaining a uniform seed volume of 110 mm³, which is both the minimum, maximum, and mean value recorded for the species. The seeds are notably consistent in their weight as well, with a stable seed mass of 0.2 g across the minimum, maximum, and mean measurements. This uniformity in seed size and mass, combined with the fleshy nature of the fruit, suggests a specialized reproductive strategy likely involving specific dispersal mechanisms facilitated by the moisture content of the fruit tissue.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed mass mean:

0.2 g

Seed volume max:

110 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

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

Friedelin

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Preparations

Maytenus gonoclados has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanolic extracts (ME).

Methanolic extracts (me)

1. Journal of pharmacy & pharmaceutical sciences : a publication of the Canadian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Societe canadienne des sciences pharmaceutiques