Maytenus truncata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Celastrus ilicifolius
• Maytenus ilicifolia
• Monteverdia truncata
• Ilex truncata

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the South American continent. In Western South America, it can be found growing within the borders of Bolivia. Its range also extends significantly into the country of Brazil. Specifically, the species is documented to inhabit the Northeast region of Brazil. These locations define the primary geographical footprint of Maytenus truncata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Maytenus truncata is characterized by its adaptability to diverse tropical biomes, specifically thriving within the Caatinga (strictu sensu), Floresta Estacional Decidual, and Floresta Estacional Semidecidual. This species demonstrates a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying a wide ecological gradient that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum elevation of 2000 m AMSL. Its presence in both semi-arid Caatinga environments and seasonal deciduous/semideciduous forests indicates a capacity to withstand varying moisture availability and seasonal fluctuations in foliage cover.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu)

Life history

The life history of Maytenus truncata is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As an evergreen species, it maintains its foliage throughout the year, providing continuous photosynthetic activity and structural stability. In terms of its growth habit and architectural classification, the plant is categorized as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting life forms that include both phanerophyte and phanerophyte traits, indicating that its perennating buds are located high above the ground on woody stems.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Maytenus truncata is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, typically reaching a mean height of 4 meters, though it can grow to a maximum height of up to 5 meters. As a terrestrial plant, it is non-aquatic and functions as an independent organism, showing no parasitic behavior. The plant is strictly self-supporting in its structure, lacking the characteristics of a climber, liana, or vine, and it does not exhibit any epiphytic growth habits, remaining grounded in a terrestrial environment.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Plant height mean:

4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Maytenus truncata is characterized by its complex metabolic processes and specialized adaptations to its ecological niche. As a woody species, its physiological framework relies on robust photosynthetic pathways to convert solar energy into chemical energy, supporting its structural development and the synthesis of secondary metabolites. Regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, the plant does not engage in symbiotic nitrogen fixation; specifically, it is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized root nodules required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms and must instead rely on the uptake of available nitrates and ammonium from the soil substrate. Its metabolic activity is further defined by the production of specific bioactive compounds, which are synthesized through intricate biochemical pathways to serve defensive or physiological roles within the plant's system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Maytenus truncata has 3 reported plant parts identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root, stem.

Leaf

1. Journal of natural products
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Fitoterapia
4. Phytotherapy research : PTR
5. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Root

1. Plant & cell physiology
2. Journal of natural products

Stem

1. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Maytenus truncata has 30 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CATECHIN, Epicatechin, Tannins, Terpenoids, (-)-Epicatechin.

CATECHIN

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Epicatechin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Tannins

1. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Terpenoids

1. Journal of natural products
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

(-)-Epicatechin

1. Journal of natural products

4-O-Methylglucuronic acid

1. Journal of natural products

AFZELECHIN

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

ARABINOGALACTAN

1. Journal of natural products

CADMIUM

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Erythrodiol

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Maytenus truncata has 10 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antioxidant, Antiulcerogenic, Abortifacient, Antacid.

Analgesic

1. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine
2. Food chemistry
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine
2. Food chemistry
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiulcerogenic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Fitoterapia

Abortifacient

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Antacid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anticonvulsant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiulcer

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of natural products

Hypnotic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Teratogenic

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Medicinal Uses

Maytenus truncata has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include tumors, ulcers.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations