Maytenus procumbens

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In South Tropical Africa, its presence is noted within the borders of Mozambique. Moving towards the southern portion of the continent, it is also found throughout the Cape Provinces. Additionally, the species inhabits the coastal and inland areas of KwaZulu-Natal. Collectively, these locations define the natural range of Maytenus procumbens.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Maytenus procumbens is defined by its presence in specific altitudinal gradients, typically occupying lowland environments. This species thrives within a distinct elevational range that begins as low as 5 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 200 m AMSL. This relatively narrow, low-altitude distribution suggests an adaptation to specific climatic conditions and soil types characteristic of coastal or near-coastal lowland ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

5 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Maytenus procumbens is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years through successive growing seasons. As a long-lived plant, it avoids the rapid turnover associated with annuals or biennials, instead investing energy into sustained structural development and long-term survival. This perennial nature enables the plant to establish stable populations within its ecological niche, contributing to its continuous presence in the landscape as it undergoes repeated cycles of vegetative growth and reproductive activity.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Maytenus procumbens is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a shrub. This species is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber or an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial existence rather than an aquatic or semiaquatic one. It is an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits a moderate height, typically ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 3 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Maytenus procumbens is characterized by the production of specialized seeds that exhibit highly consistent morphological dimensions. Quantitative analysis of its seed characteristics reveals a uniform seed mass, with the mean, maximum, and minimum values all recorded at exactly 0.01422 g. This lack of variance in seed mass suggests a highly stabilized reproductive strategy, where each individual seed produced by the plant maintains a precise weight of 0.01422 g, ensuring standardized resource allocation during the developmental stages of its progeny.

Seed mass mean:

0.01422 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Maytenus procumbens 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. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Preparations

Maytenus procumbens has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanolic roots extracts.

Methanolic roots extracts

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM