Maytenus obtusifolia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Maytenus obtusifolia var. repanda
• Monteverdia obtusifolia
• Maytenus blanchetii
• Maytenus obtusifolia var. ovata
• Maytenus obtusifolia var. obovata
• Maytenus obtusifolia var. elliptica
• Maytenus obtusifolia var. latifolia

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is placed in the order Celastrales and the family Celastraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Maytenus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical presence across several key regions of Brazil. It can be found growing within the diverse ecosystems of the Brazil Northeast. Additionally, its distribution extends into the lush landscapes of the Brazil North region. The species is also documented throughout the Brazil Southeast area. These varying locations highlight the plant's ability to inhabit multiple environmental zones within the country.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Maytenus obtusifolia is characterized by its presence in diverse and specialized Brazilian ecosystems, reflecting a broad adaptability to varying moisture regimes and soil compositions. It is primarily found inhabiting the Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, where it must withstand distinct seasonal fluctuations in water availability, as well as the Floresta Ombrófila (Pluvial), where it thrives under high humidity and consistent precipitation levels. Furthermore, the species extends its ecological range into the Restinga, occupying these coastal sandy habitats that present unique challenges such as nutrient-poor soils and salt spray. This distribution across forest types ranging from seasonally dry to perhumid, as well as coastal scrublands, underscores its ability to integrate into complex multi-layered vegetative structures and survive in distinct environmental niches.

Habitat :

Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga

Life history

The life history of Maytenus obtusifolia is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. As a long-lived species, it follows a developmental trajectory that moves from initial seedling establishment to a sustained vegetative phase, eventually reaching reproductive maturity where it can produce flowers and seeds over many successive years. This perennial nature allows the plant to invest significant energy into structural stability and long-term survival within its ecosystem, adapting to seasonal fluctuations while maintaining a continuous presence in its habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Maytenus obtusifolia is characterized by its woody growth form, functioning as a self-supporting tree. It is a terrestrial species that exists independently of other plants, lacking parasitic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant variation in height, with a maximum recorded height of 5 meters, though it can reach a mean height of approximately 25 meters depending on environmental conditions. Unlike climbing vines or lianas, its structural development is entirely self-supporting.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Maytenus obtusifolia is characterized by its metabolic processes and nutrient acquisition strategies, which are essential for its survival in various ecological niches. As a woody perennial, its physiological functions are driven by efficient photosynthetic pathways that allow for biomass accumulation and the synthesis of secondary metabolites. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, the plant does not exhibit the specialized symbiotic relationships required for atmospheric nitrogen conversion; specifically, it is not a nitrogen fixer, as indicated by the trait value of "no" for nitrogen fixation capacity. Consequently, its physiological growth and development are heavily dependent on the availability of nitrogenous compounds directly present within the soil matrix. This reliance necessitates an extensive root system designed to optimize the uptake of mineral nutrients to support its structural integrity and chemical defense mechanisms.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Maytenus obtusifolia is characterized by the development of fruits that possess a fleshy texture, distinguishing them from more desiccated botanical structures. The seeds produced during this reproductive cycle are uniform in size, maintaining a consistent seed volume of exactly 150 mm³. This lack of variance is reflected in the data, where the minimum, maximum, and mean seed volumes all converge at a value of 150 mm³, indicating a highly standardized seed production process within the species.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed volume max:

150 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Maytenus obtusifolia has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Maytenus obtusifolia has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include MeOH.

MeOH

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

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

Malaria

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Maytenus obtusifolia has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include MeOH root bark extract.

Meoh root bark extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology