Moquilea platypus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several regions of North and Central America. In Mexico, its presence is noted across the Central and Gulf coastal areas. It is also widely distributed throughout the Southwest and Southeast portions of the country. Moving southward, the species extends into the tropical landscapes of Central America. Specifically, its range includes the country of Belize.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Moquillea platypus is characterized by its ability to inhabit a diverse range of altitudinal gradients, thriving in environments that span from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1000 m AMSL. This broad elevational range, extending from 0 to 1000 m AMSL, suggests that the species is ecologically versatile, capable of adapting to both lowland coastal or riparian zones and slightly higher montane or foothills habitats. Such a distribution indicates a tolerance for varying atmospheric pressures and temperature fluctuations associated with changing altitudes, allowing the plant to occupy a variety of niches within its geographic range.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Moquillea platypus is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its growth habit and structural classification, it is categorized as a phanerophyte, specifically manifesting as a phanerophyte through its elevated bud positioning. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage in accordance with seasonal changes or environmental stressors.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Moquilea platypus is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, which typically reaches a mean height of 25 m, with some specimens capable of attaining a maximum height of up to 33 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. The plant is an independent organism, lacking any parasitic lifestyle, and is categorized as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber, liana, or vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

33 m

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Moquilea platypus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits specific leaf structural characteristics, as evidenced by its Leaf Dry Matter Content (LDMC), which maintains a mean value of 423.75 mg/g, ranging from a minimum of 395.9 mg/g to a maximum of 451.6 mg/g. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the biological capacity to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for its growth.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) max:

451.6 mg/g

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

423.75 mg/g

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) min:

395.9 mg/g

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Moquilea platypus is characterized by the production of distinct seeds that exhibit a high degree of morphological uniformity. Based on botanical data, the seed length is exceptionally consistent, with a mean value of 64.7 mm. This precision is further evidenced by the fact that both the minimum and maximum recorded seed lengths are identical at 64.7 mm, indicating a lack of variance in this specific dimension across the sampled population. Such uniform seed development is a critical aspect of its reproductive cycle, ensuring that each unit produced adheres to this specific size standard for subsequent dispersal and germination processes.

Seed length mean:

64.7 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Moquilea platypus has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, CALCIUM, FAT, IRON, PHOSPHORUS.

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

PHOSPHORUS

1. Dr. Duke

ascorbic acid

1. Dr. Duke

beta-carotene

1. Dr. Duke

niacin

1. Dr. Duke

riboflavin

1. Dr. Duke

thiamin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Moquilea platypus has 207 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic, Analgesic, Androgenic?.

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

AntiAGE

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCFS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCTS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCrohn's

1. Dr. Duke