Cinchona pubescens

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Cinchona pubescens
• Quinine
• Red Cinchona
• red Peruvian-bark
• redbark
• quina

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cinchona pubescens
• Gardenia ferrea
• Rhyssocarpus pubescens
• Pleurocarpus decemfidus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Melanopsidium nigrum, is classified within the kingdom Plantae and belongs to the phylum Streptophyta. It falls under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, specifically within the order Gentianaales. Furthermore, it is a member of the Rubiaceae family and is categorized under the genus Cinchona.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is naturally found within specific regions of Brazil. Its geographical presence is primarily concentrated in the Northeast part of the country. Additionally, the species can be located throughout the Southeast region of Brazil. These two distinct areas represent its known native habitats. Therefore, its distribution is limited to these specific Brazilian territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Melanopsidium nigrum is characterized by its adaptation to specific Brazilian biomes, primarily occurring within the Cerrado (latu sensu) and Restinga ecosystems. This species exhibits a significant vertical distribution across varied landscapes, occupying a broad elevational range that spans from 600 m AMSL to a maximum of 3300 m AMSL. On average, the plant is found at an elevation of approximately 2100 m AMSL, reflecting its ability to thrive in diverse altitudinal gradients within its specialized habitats.

Elevational range max:

3300 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

600 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu), Restinga

Life history

The life history of Melanopsidium nigrum is characterized by its classification as a perennial organism, ensuring its persistence across multiple growing seasons. Structurally, the plant exhibits a phanerophyte life form, specifically categorized under the nanophanerophyte designation, which indicates that its regenerative buds are located on aerial shoots above the ground level. As an evergreen species, it maintains its foliage throughout the year rather than undergoing a seasonal shedding period, contributing to its steady physiological presence in its habitat. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and persistent aerial growth patterns defines its biological strategy and environmental endurance.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Melanopsidium nigrum is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that functions as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber or liana. As a terrestrial plant, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte or a parasite, maintaining an independent biological existence. The plant's stature is significant, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 5 meters to a maximum of 12 meters, although some measurements indicate a mean height of 15 meters and a maximum potential of up to 12 meters depending on environmental conditions. Its structural integrity is defined by its woody nature, supporting its development as a robust, self-supporting tree within its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Plant height max:

12 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Melanopsidium nigrum is characterized by specific metabolic processes and nutrient acquisition strategies that dictate its growth and survival in its natural habitat. Central to its physiological profile is its relationship with soil nutrients, specifically regarding its ability to transform atmospheric gases into usable forms for plant development. Regarding its capacity for nitrogen assimilation through symbiotic relationships, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized root nodules or microbial associations required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. Consequently, its physiological processes rely on the uptake of nitrates or ammonium directly from the soil medium to support protein synthesis and enzymatic functions. This dependency on available soil nitrogen influences its metabolic rate and overall biomass production, as its physiological efficiency is strictly tethered to the nutrient availability of its immediate environment.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Melanopsidium nigrum is characterized by a primarily biotic pollination syndrome, relying on living organisms rather than abiotic factors to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Within this reproductive framework, the plant utilizes an insect-mediated strategy to ensure genetic exchange. Specifically, the pollination process is heavily dependent on bees, which act as the key biological vectors for moving pollen between flowers. This targeted interaction between the plant and its insect pollinators ensures a successful fertilization cycle through these specialized biotic mechanisms.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Melanopsidium nigrum 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 stem.

Stem

1. Lloydia

Chemicals

Melanopsidium nigrum has 48 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Quinine, Quinovic acid, (-)-Epicatechin, 1-Hydroxy-2-hydroxymethylanthraquinone, 2-hydroxy-1,3,4-trimethoxy-anthraquinone.

Quinine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Quinovic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Lloydia

(-)-Epicatechin

1. Dr. Duke

1-Hydroxy-2-hydroxymethylanthraquinone

1. Dr. Duke

2-hydroxy-1,3,4-trimethoxy-anthraquinone

1. Dr. Duke

3-EPIQUINAMINE

1. Dr. Duke

3-alpha,17-beta-Cinchophylline

1. Dr. Duke

3-beta,17-beta-Cinchophylline

1. Dr. Duke

Alizarin

1. Dr. Duke

Alizarin 1-methyl ether

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Melanopsidium nigrum has 198 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor, Abortifacient.

Antimalarial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Glucosidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Amebicide

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations

Melanopsidium nigrum has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include stem bark, stem wood.

Stem bark

1. Lloydia

Stem wood

1. Lloydia