Your grandmother's shell open

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Your grandmother's shell open

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Luma pungens
• Eugenia ybaviyu
• Eugenia pungens
• Acreugenia pungens

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Myrtaleales, it is classified under the family Myrtaceae and the genus Myrcianthes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse distribution across several key regions of South America. In Western South America, its presence is documented within the borders of Bolivia. Its reach extends significantly into Brazil, where it is found in the West-Central, Southeast, and South regions. Furthermore, the species can be located in the Southern part of the continent. Specifically, it inhabits the Northeast area of Argentina.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Myrcianthes pungens is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse array of Brazilian ecosystems, including Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (latu sensu), Floresta Ciliar or Galeria, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, and Floresta Ombrófila Mista. This species demonstrates significant adaptability to various landscape structures, ranging from riparian zones and gallery forests to more open or seasonal woodland environments. Its distribution spans a wide altitudinal gradient, beginning at sea level (0 m AMSL) and reaching a maximum elevation of 1000 m AMSL, with an average elevational range centered around 1200 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila Mista

Life history

The life history of Myrcianthes pungens is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist and maintain its presence in its ecological niche over many years. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a life form classification that falls under both the broader phanerophyte category and the more specific phanerophyte designation, ensuring its survival through various seasonal changes by protecting its vital growth points on elevated branches.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Myrcia nagescens (often referred to in botanical contexts related to Myrcia species) is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically categorized as a tree. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber or a liana, maintaining an independent lifestyle as a non-parasitic organism. The species is terrestrial in nature, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a maximum height of 15 meters, with a minimum recorded height of 8 meters, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 15 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

15 m

Plant height min:

8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Myrcianthes pungens is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme RuBisCO, which is typical for many woody species in its taxonomic group. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it does not possess specialized root nodules containing diazotrophic bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms; instead, it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil substrate to meet its nitrogenous requirements for protein synthesis and metabolic functions.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Myrcianthes pungens is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying on living organisms to facilitate the transfer of genetic material. This reproductive process is characterized by a diverse range of pollinators, primarily utilizing an insect-based mechanism to ensure successful fertilization. Specifically, the plant engages in a specialized relationship with bees, which serve as key agents in the pollination cycle, contributing to the overall efficiency of its reproductive success within its ecosystem.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Myrcianthes pungens has 4 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower, fruit, leaf, root.

Flower

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Fruit

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Leaf

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Root

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Chemicals

Myrcianthes pungens has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ACETOGENINS, Flavonoids, Lignans.

ACETOGENINS

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Flavonoids

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Lignans

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Conditions

Myrcianthes pungens has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Leishmania braziliensis.

Leishmania braziliensis

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)