Ocotea odorifera

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Laurus odorifera
• Aydendron suaveolens
• Mespilodaphne pretiosa var. latifolia
• Mespilodaphne pretiosa var. longifolia
• Ocotea pretiosa
• Laurus camelilla

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Laurales, it is a member of the Lauraceae family and is specifically classified under the genus Ocotea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several key regions within the country of Brazil. Its presence is notably documented throughout the Brazil Northeast region. Furthermore, the species can be found thriving in the Brazil Southeast area. It also extends its natural range into the Brazil South territory. Together, these locations highlight the broad geographical coverage of Ocotea odorifera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ocotea odorifera is characterized by its presence in diverse forest ecosystems, specifically within the Floresta Estacional Semidecidual and the Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial). This species demonstrates a broad altitudinal distribution, inhabiting environments that range from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 800 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Ocotea odorifera is characterized by its existence as a perennial organism, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem over many years. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated branches well above the ground, a life form that can be further classified as a phanerophyte due to its structural development. Throughout its life cycle, the species exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage year-round rather than shedding all its leaves seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ocotea odorifera is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which functions as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber or liana. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit epiphytic or aquatic habits, existing as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. In terms of its physical dimensions, the plant typically reaches a height ranging from a maximum of 17 m to an average height of approximately 20 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

17 m

Plant height mean:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ocotea odorifera is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy among woody angiosperms that involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle. As a non-nitrogen-fixing species, the plant does not possess a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, meaning it relies entirely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system to meet its nutritional requirements for amino acid and protein synthesis.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ocotea odorifera has 1 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek

Chemicals

Ocotea odorifera has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1-Nitro-2-phenylethane, Ellagitannin, Reticuline, S-(+)-Reticuline, Tellimagrandin II.

1-Nitro-2-phenylethane

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ellagitannin

1. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek

Reticuline

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

S-(+)-Reticuline

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Tellimagrandin II

1. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek

Activities

Ocotea odorifera has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal, Antimalarial.

Antifungal

1. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek

Antimalarial

1. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine

Conditions

Ocotea odorifera has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include dermatosis, malaria, rheumatism.

Dermatosis

1. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek

Malaria

1. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine

Rheumatism

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Ocotea odorifera has 6 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include crude methanol extract, essential oils from leaves and branches, its fractions, leaf decoction, leaf extract.

Crude methanol extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Essential oils from leaves and branches

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Its fractions

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leaf decoction

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leaf extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Methanol extract

1. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek