Mosannona depressa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Guatteria depressa
• Malmea depressa
• Annona depressa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Magnoliales, specifically within the family Annonaceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus name, Mosannona.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning several key regions across Mexico and Central America. In Mexico, it can be found throughout the central territories and along the Gulf coast. Additionally, the species is present in the southwestern regions of the country. Its range further extends into the southeastern parts of Mexico. Finally, the distribution reaches into Central America, specifically within the borders of Belize.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Mosannona depressa is primarily defined by its specialized niche within forest ecosystems. As a species adapted to these shaded and structured environments, its survival is closely tied to the specific microclimatic conditions provided by the forest canopy, which regulates light availability, humidity, and temperature fluctuations. The presence of organic leaf litter and the characteristic soil compositions found in forest floors play a crucial role in supporting its growth patterns and nutrient requirements. Within these woodland habitats, the plant interacts with the complex biological community, relying on the stable moisture levels and sheltered conditions that differentiate forest habitats from more exposed open landscapes.

Habitat :

forest

Life history

The life history of Mosannona depressa is characterized by its nature as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. In terms of its vegetative maintenance and foliage retention, the plant exhibits evergreen characteristics, ensuring that its photosynthetic structures remain functional throughout its lifespan regardless of seasonal changes.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Mosannona depressa is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, reaching an average height of 8 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte, remaining strictly terrestrial in its growth habit. The plant is an independent organism, functioning without parasitic requirements, and is classified as self-supporting rather than acting as a liana, vine, or other type of climber.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Mosannona depressa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process through the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate by the enzyme RuBisCO. This metabolic strategy implies that the plant primarily engages in photorespiration under high-temperature or water-stressed conditions, as it lacks the specialized mechanisms found in C4 or CAM species to concentrate CO2. Additionally, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria or specialized root nodules required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, instead relying on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the surrounding substrate to meet its nutritional requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Mosannona depressa is characterized by a diverse range of dispersal mechanisms and specific seed morphologies. The plant utilizes multiple dispersal syndromes, including anemochorous, zoochorous, autochorous, hydrochorous, and unspecialized methods, allowing it to spread through wind, animals, self-dispersal, water, and generalist vectors. The seeds produced exhibit significant variation in weight, with a recorded minimum mass of 0.36 g and a maximum mass of 1.7 g. On average, the seed mass for this species is approximately 1.03 g, reflecting a moderate level of investment in individual seed size across its reproductive cycle.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Seed mass max:

1.7 g

Seed mass mean:

1.03 g

Seed mass min:

0.36 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Mosannona depressa 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. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Mosannona depressa has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hypoglycemic.

Hypoglycemic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Mosannona depressa has 5 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include crude drug extracts, ethanolic extract, ethanolic extract of the root bark, infusion, root bark infusion.

Crude drug extracts

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Ethanolic extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ethanolic extract of the root bark

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Infusion

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Root bark infusion

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology