Maytenus spinosa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Celastrus moya
• Monteverdia spinosa
• Gymnosporia establei
• Gymnosporia boliviana
• Maytenus scutioides
• Moya spinosa
• Moya scutioides
• Moya boliviana

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and order Celastrales, it falls under the family Celastraceae. Finally, it is categorized within the genus Maytenus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of South America. In Western South America, its presence is noted within the borders of Bolivia. Moving toward the southern part of the continent, it can be found in the northeast of Argentina. Additionally, the species extends into the northwest regions of Argentina. Finally, its geographical range also encompasses parts of Paraguay in Southern South America.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Maytenus spinosa is defined by its broad adaptive capacity across diverse topographical gradients, allowing it to inhabit a wide variety of environments. It is characterized by an expansive elevational range that spans from sea level up to a maximum altitude of 2000 m AMSL. This vast vertical distribution suggests that the species is capable of tolerating varied climatic conditions, ranging from the warmer, more humid environments of lowlands to the cooler, potentially more temperate or montane conditions found at higher elevations. Such ecological flexibility enables the plant to occupy multiple niche layers within its habitat, contributing to its resilience across different altitudinal zones.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Maytenus spinosa is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habit, the species is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting traits consistent with both the phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms, meaning its reproductive buds are elevated above the ground level on woody stems. This growth strategy enables the plant to maintain a stable presence in its habitat, utilizing its perennial nature to endure environmental fluctuations over an extended lifespan.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Maytenus spinosa is characterized by a woody growth form that typically manifests as either a shrub or a small tree. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor semiaquatic, nor does it exhibit epiphytic tendencies such as being a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte, maintaining an independent lifestyle without parasitic requirements. The plant is self-supporting in its structural habit, lacking the climbing mechanisms of a liana or vine, and it does not function as an obligatory or facultative climber. Reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 4 meters, its physical structure is defined by its robust, woody stems and a growth habit that remains firmly rooted in terrestrial environments.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Maytenus spinosa is characterized by a fundamental metabolic framework centered around a C3 photosynthetic pathway. As a C3 plant, its carbon fixation process relies on the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) by the enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO), resulting in the immediate production of a three-carbon compound, 3-phosphoglycerate. This metabolic route dictates the plant's water-use efficiency and gas exchange dynamics, as it is susceptible to photorespiration when stomata close during periods of high temperature or water stress. The physiological efficiency of this C3 mechanism drives the plant's growth cycles and energy production, influencing how it manages resource allocation and adapts to its specific ecological niche.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Maytenus spinosa has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Journal of natural products

Root

1. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Maytenus spinosa has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Pristimerin, Netzahualcoyene.

Pristimerin

1. Planta medica
2. Journal of natural products

Netzahualcoyene

1. Planta medica

Activities

Maytenus spinosa has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic.

Antimicrobial

1. Planta medica
2. Journal of natural products

Cytotoxic

1. Planta medica
2. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Maytenus spinosa has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include HIV.

Hiv

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Maytenus spinosa has 1 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include organic extracts of the roots.

Organic extracts of the roots

1. Phytochemistry