Maytenus macrocarpa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Monteverdia macrocarpa
• Celastrus macrocarpus
• Monteverdia krukovii
• Haenkea multiflora
• Maytenus multiflora
• Maytenus krukovii
• Maytenus tarapotensis

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Maytenus macrocarpa, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Celastrales and the family Celastraceae. Finally, its taxonomic classification is completed within the genus Maytenus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of locations across the South American continent. In the northern part of the region, it can be found growing within Venezuela. Moving toward the western side of the continent, its presence extends into Colombia and Ecuador. Furthermore, its natural habitat includes the territories of Peru and Bolivia. Overall, these specific countries define the primary geographical distribution of the species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Maytenus macrocarpa is characterized by its specific preference for the Floresta de Várzea habitat, where it plays a role within these seasonally flooded forest ecosystems. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying a diverse range of topographical settings. It can be found at elevations as low as 300 m AMSL, climbing through various montane gradients to reach a maximum elevation of 2250 m AMSL. On average, the species thrives at a mean elevation of 1700 m AMSL, indicating a strong adaptation to mid-to-high altitude environmental conditions within its specialized habitat.

Elevational range max:

2250 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Várzea

Morphology

The morphology of Maytenus macrocarpa is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, exhibiting a self-supporting structure that is independent of parasitic or epiphytic lifestyles. It is a terrestrial species, not adapted to aquatic or semiaquatic environments, and functions as an independent organism rather than a holoepiphyte, hemiepiphyte, or parasite. The plant reaches a significant stature, with a height ranging from a minimum of 5 meters to a maximum of 20 meters. As a woody tree, it maintains a robust, self-supporting habit without the need for climbing or liana-like growth forms.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height min:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Maytenus macrocarpa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic strategy typical of many woody tropical species that relies on the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells. This carbon fixation process occurs during the light reactions of photosynthesis, where solar energy is captured to drive the Calvin cycle without the specialized carbon-concentrating mechanisms found in C4 or CAM plants. Consequently, the plant's metabolic efficiency and water-use strategy are closely tied to its ability to regulate stomatal conductance to balance carbon uptake with transpirational water loss, a critical physiological adaptation for maintaining turgor and enzymatic function within its specific ecological niche.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Maytenus macrocarpa has 3 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, leaf, stem.

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Leaf

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Stem

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Maytenus macrocarpa has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3-OXO-29-HYDROXYFRIEDELANE, Canophyllol, Friedelin, Triterpenes.

3-OXO-29-HYDROXYFRIEDELANE

1. Journal of natural products

Canophyllol

1. Journal of natural products

Friedelin

1. Journal of natural products

Triterpenes

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Maytenus macrocarpa has 4 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic, Antibacterial, Antiparasitic, Antiviral.

Cytotoxic

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antibacterial

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiparasitic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiviral

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Maytenus macrocarpa has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include bronchitis, diarrhea, rheumatism, wounds.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations