Myrciaria tenella

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Plinia montecristina
• Eugenia tenella var. spathulata
• Eugenia tenella var. macrocarpa
• Eugenia tenella var. minor
• Eugenia tenella var. elliptica
• Eugenia tenella var. glazioviana
• Plinia haitiensis
• Myrciaria tenella var. elliptica
• Myrciaria tenella var. spathulata
• Myrciaria undulata

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Myrciaria tenella, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Myrtoales and the family Myrtaceae. Finally, it is positioned within the genus Myrciaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range that spans across several distinct regions of the Americas. Within the Caribbean, its presence is noted in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Moving to the northern part of South America, the species can be found in Venezuela and French Guiana. Its distribution extends even further south into the western reaches of the continent in Bolivia. Ultimately, these locations highlight the diverse environmental settings where the plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Myrcia aria tenella is characterized by its presence in specific vegetation types, primarily thriving within the habitats of bosque bajo (lowland forest) and cerrado. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, spanning from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1300 m AMSL. Across its range, it maintains an average elevation of approximately 800 m AMSL, demonstrating an ability to adapt to varying topographical gradients within its preferred ecological niches.

Elevational range max:

1300 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Bosque bajo, cerrado

Life history

The life history of Myrciaria tenebra is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habits and ecological positioning, it exhibits characteristics consistent with both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms, indicating a capacity to maintain its reproductive shoots above the ground level.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Myrciaria tenebra is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as either a tree or a shrub. This species is a terrestrial plant that grows independently, lacking parasitic tendencies. In terms of stature, it is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, nor does it exhibit epiphytic behavior. The plant reaches a mean height of approximately 3 m, though it has the potential to reach a maximum height of up to 5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Plant height mean:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Myrcia aria tenella is characterized by distinct morphological and metabolic parameters, particularly regarding its leaf architecture and nutrient acquisition strategies. The plant exhibits a Specific Leaf Area (SLA) that is remarkably consistent across its sampled structures, with a recorded minimum, mean, and maximum value all equal to 364.33 cm²/g. This uniform SLA suggests a specialized leaf mass distribution that likely optimizes light interception and gas exchange within its specific ecological niche. Furthermore, in terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic capabilities, Myrcia aria tenella does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil rather than through biological nitrogen fixation via symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic microorganisms.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

364.33 cm²/g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Myrciaria tenella has 2 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 fruit, leaf.

Fruit

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Leaf

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Myrciaria tenella has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthraquinones, Flavonoids, Gallic acid, RUTIN, SAPONIN.

Anthraquinones

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Flavonoids

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Gallic acid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

RUTIN

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

SAPONIN

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Tannin

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Tannins

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Ursolic acid

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Myrciaria tenella has 5 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antiproliferative, Gastroprotective.

Antidiabetic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antimicrobial

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiproliferative

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Gastroprotective

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Myrciaria tenella has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antidiabetic, oxidative damage, oxidative stress.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations