Tilo

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Laurus till
• Laurus foetens
• Keiria lutea
• Mespilodaphne foetens
• Oreodaphne foetens
• Persea foetida
• Persea foetens
• Borbonia foetens

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

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 categorized under the order Laurales and the family Lauraceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus, Ocotea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution centered within the Macaronesian region. It is primarily found inhabiting the natural landscapes of the Canary Islands. Additionally, its presence extends to the lush environments of Madeira. These two island archipelagos serve as the main habitats for this particular species. Consequently, its range is quite restricted to these unique Atlantic territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Ocotea foetens is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the individual to persist through multiple growing seasons within its ecosystem. As a member of the phanerophyte life forms, specifically categorized under both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte classifications, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems or branches, providing structural resilience and enabling it to maintain a significant stature over time.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ocotea foetens is characterized by its growth form as a robust, woody tree that reaches a maximum plant height of approximately 30 m. It functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence without aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies. As a self-supporting tree, it does not exhibit climbing habits such as lianas or vines, instead relying on its sturdy, woody structure to maintain its upright stature within its ecosystem.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ocotea foetens is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency within its environment. Its vegetative structure features an alternate leaf arrangement, with individual leaves exhibiting a narrow-elliptic form. The morphological dimensions of these leaves vary significantly, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 6 cm to a maximum of 13 cm, while their widths fluctuate between a minimum of 2 cm and a maximum of 7 cm.

Leaf arrangement :

alternate

Leaf form :

narrow-elliptic

Leaf length max:

13 cm

Leaf length min:

6 cm

Leaf width max:

7 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ocotea foetens is characterized by a bisexual sexual reproduction system where self-fertilization is absent, relying instead on biotic pollination mechanisms. The flowering period typically commences in June and extends through September. The plant utilizes an insect-based pollination syndrome to facilitate fertilization. Following pollination, the plant develops fruit classified as a berry, which is indehiscent in nature. These fruits are characterized by a black color and reach a consistent length of approximately 2.5 cm. The reproductive output is prolific, with the fruit containing more than 1000 seeds, each having a mean seed mass of 0.8 g. Dispersal is achieved through a zoochorous syndrome, specifically via endozoochory, where animals consume the fruit and disperse the seeds.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit colour :

black

Fruit length max:

2.5 cm

Fruit type :

berry

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass mean:

0.8 g

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ocotea foetens has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids.

Flavonoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)