Ocotea indecora

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad presence across various ecological zones within the country of Brazil. Its natural range extends significantly into the Northeast region, where it adapts to specific local climates. Furthermore, the species is widely distributed throughout the Southeast, covering essential forest habitats. The geographical footprint also reaches down into the South of Brazil, completing its wide-ranging pattern. Consequently, the distribution of Ocotea indecora spans multiple diverse territories across the Brazilian landscape.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ocotea indecora is characterized by its preference for specific forest ecosystems, primarily inhabiting the Floresta Estacional Decidual and the Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial). This species occupies a specialized altitudinal niche, thriving within a narrow elevational range that begins at 700 m AMSL and reaches a maximum of 800 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

700 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Ocotea indecora is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. Throughout its existence, the plant maintains a constant presence in its habitat due to its evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage year-round without undergoing a seasonal shedding of leaves. This combination of a long-lived life cycle and continuous leaf coverage allows the plant to sustain metabolic processes and photosynthetic activity across varying temporal scales.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ocotea indecora is characterized by a woody growth form that manifests primarily as a tree, though it can also present as a shrub. This species is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, showing no parasitic tendencies. It is a self-supporting structure, lacking the climbing habits of lianas or vines, and does not exhibit epiphytic behavior. In terms of stature, the plant is substantial, with an average height of approximately 8 meters, though it is capable of reaching a maximum height of up to 25 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

25 m

Plant height mean:

8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ocotea indecora is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a carbon fixation process typical of many woody forest species. Its leaf economics reflect a highly stable structural profile, as evidenced by a Leaf Dry Matter Content (LDMC) that remains constant at a mean, minimum, and maximum value of 486.4 mg/g. This high LDMC suggests a dense leaf structure with a significant investment in non-photosynthetic biomass. Complementing this is a Specific Leaf Area (SLA) that is also consistently measured at 108.14 cm²/g across its minimum, mean, and maximum values, signifying a specialized leaf morphology optimized for its specific environmental niche. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on external soil nutrient availability for its nitrogen requirements.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

486.4 mg/g

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

108.14 cm²/g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ocotea indecora 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. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Ocotea indecora has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Aspergillus flavus.

Aspergillus flavus

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Ocotea indecora has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Essential Oil, Nanoemulsion.

Essential oil

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Nanoemulsion

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)