Myrcia loranthifolia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Chytraculia eriopoda
• Chytraculia ovalifolia
• Calyptranthes dardanoi
• Calyptranthes glazioviana
• Calyptranthes grandifolia
• Calyptranthes heineriana
• Calyptranthes loranthifolia
• Calyptranthes melanoclada
• Chytraculia fastigiata
• Chytraculia melanoclada
• Chytraculia rufa
• Myrcia heineriana
• Calyptranthes grandifolia var. macrantha
• Myrcia neobrasiliensis
• Chytraculia ovata
• Chytraculia mutabilis
• Chytraculia grandifolia
• Chytraculia loranthifolia
• Chytraculia brasiliensis
• Calyptranthes grandifolia var. rufa
• Calyptranthes loranthifolia var. mutabilis
• Calyptranthes eriopoda
• Calyptranthes rufa
• Calyptranthes ovalifolia
• Calyptranthes ovata
• Calyptranthes mutabilis
• Calyptranthes brasiliensis
• Calyptranthes brasiliensis var. densa
• Calyptranthes brasiliensis var. laxa
• Calyptranthes brasiliensis var. mutabilis

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. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Myrtoales, it falls under the family Myrtaceae. Specifically, it is categorized within the genus Myrcia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several distinct regions of Brazil. Its natural habitat includes the vast landscapes of the Northeast. Additionally, it can be found growing throughout the Southeast portion of the country. The species also extends its range into the southern territories of Brazil. Consequently, its geographical distribution covers a significant breadth of the Brazilian territory.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Myrcia loranthifolia is characterized by a diverse adaptability to varied environmental conditions, spanning an elevational range from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 1000 m AMSL. This species demonstrates a broad ecological amplitude by inhabiting distinct biomes, including the semi-arid Caatinga (strictu sensu) as well as the more humid Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial). This ability to persist in both xeric and pluvial forest environments highlights its resilience to varying precipitation patterns and moisture availability across its range.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Myrcia loranthifolia is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its environment over many years. As a phanerophyte, it typically grows as a woody plant with its perennially existing buds located well above the ground, though it can also be classified under the nanophanerophyte life form depending on its specific growth habit and size within its ecological niche. Furthermore, the plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and present throughout the different seasons rather than shedding leaves annually.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Myrcia loranthifolia is characterized by its woody growth form, which manifests as either a tree or a shrub. As a terrestrial organism, it is an independent species that does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. In terms of stature, it reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 5 m to a maximum of 15 m, with an average plant height of approximately 10 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

10 m

Plant height min:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Myrcia loranthifolia is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning it utilizes the Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide through the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate by the enzyme RuBisCO. This metabolic process is typical for many woody dicotyledonous species, allowing the plant to thrive in environments where moisture and temperature are relatively stable. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, as it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria (such as Rhizobium or Frankia) required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms; consequently, it relies on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds directly from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Myrcia loranthifolia has 1 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.

Leaf

1. Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part A
2. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Chemicals

Myrcia loranthifolia has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Condensed Tannins, Flavonoids, polyphenols.

Condensed Tannins

1. Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part A

Flavonoids

1. Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part A

polyphenols

1. Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part A

Activities

Myrcia loranthifolia has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antileukemic, Antimicrobial.

Antileukemic

1. Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part A

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part A

Preparations

Myrcia loranthifolia has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous leaf extract, ethanol and hexane leaf extracts.

Aqueous leaf extract

1. Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part A

Ethanol and hexane leaf extracts

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie