cercipo

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• cercipo

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Myrospermum frutescens var. emarginatum
• Myroxylon frutescens
• Toluifera frutescens
• Calusia emarginata
• Myrospermum secundum
• Myrospermum emarginatum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered under Fabales and is a member of the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Myrospermum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions in North and Central America. Within Mexico, it can be found spanning from the Central regions to the Southwest. Its presence also extends into the Southeast portion of Mexico. Moving into Central America, the species is documented in El Salvador. Finally, its range reaches as far south as Costa Rica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Myrospermum frutescens is characterized by its ability to inhabit a broad vertical gradient within its native habitats, spanning an elevational range from 0 m AMSL to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL. This distribution indicates a versatile adaptability to varying altitudinal pressures, allowing the species to thrive in both lowland coastal or tropical environments and mid-elevation montane zones. By occupying this extensive range, the plant can interface with diverse microclimates, ranging from the high humidity and heat of sea-level ecosystems to the slightly cooler, more temperate conditions found at higher elevations. This ecological plasticity suggests that Myrospermum frutescens is capable of navigating different soil compositions and moisture availability levels across its altitudinal span, facilitating its presence in various successional stages of forest or scrubland ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Myrospermum frutescens is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its environment over many years. As a long-lived woody species, it avoids the rapid turnover associated with annuals or biennials, instead focusing on sustained vegetative growth and repeated reproductive cycles. This perennial nature enables the plant to establish a stable presence within its ecological niche, accumulating biomass and developing a robust structural framework that supports continuous development through successive growing seasons.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Myrospermum frutescens is characterized by a woody structure that allows it to function as a self-supporting growth form, ranging from a shrub to a larger tree. It is a terrestrial plant, meaning it is not aquatic or semiaquatic, nor does it function as an epiphyte, remaining strictly grounded in its habitat. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior. The plant is not a climber, liana, or vine, as it maintains a self-supporting architecture rather than relying on other structures for ascent. In terms of physical stature, its growth can reach a maximum plant height of 26 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

26 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Myrospermum frutescens is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation mechanisms and metabolic processes. Regarding its leaf structural composition, the plant exhibits a highly consistent Leaf Dry Matter Content (LDMC), with a measured mean, minimum, and maximum value of 388.3 mg/g. This uniformity in LDMC suggests a stable allocation of biomass within the leaf tissue, reflecting specific strategies for managing resource use and structural integrity.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

388.3 mg/g

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Myrospermum frutescens is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its seeds, which exhibit a high degree of uniformity. The seeds possess a consistent mean length of 27.33 mm, a value that remains constant across the observed range, as both the minimum and maximum seed lengths are recorded at exactly 27.33 mm. In terms of weight, the seeds display an identical level of stability, with a mean seed mass of 0.014 g. This mass is uniform throughout the sample, as the minimum and maximum seed mass values are both measured at 0.014 g, indicating a highly standardized reproductive output in terms of seed size and weight.

Seed length mean:

27.33 mm

Seed mass mean:

0.014 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Myrospermum frutescens 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Myrospermum frutescens has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Chagresnol, Chagresnone, chagreslactone.

Chagresnol

1. Journal of natural products

Chagresnone

1. Journal of natural products

chagreslactone

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Myrospermum frutescens has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves.

Leaves

1. Journal of natural products