Palicourea crocea

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across various regions of Mexico and Central America. Within Mexico, its presence is noted in the Gulf region, the Southwest, and the Southeast. Moving southward, the species can also be found throughout Belize. Furthermore, its range extends into the country of Costa Rica. Collectively, these locations highlight the diverse habitats where the plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Palicourea crocea is characterized by its preference for specific hydrological niches and a distinct altitudinal distribution. This species is primarily found inhabiting riparian forests (Floresta Ciliar), gallery forests (Galeria), and seasonally flooded forests (Floresta de Igapó), suggesting a close association with water-saturated soils and riverine ecosystems. Its elevational range is quite broad, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 1000 m AMSL, with a mean elevational positioning of approximately 250 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

250 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Igapó

Life history

The life history of Palicourea crocea is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural development and growth habit, the plant exhibits a dual classification of life forms; it functions as a phanerophyte, possessing shoots that extend well above the ground level, while also demonstrating characteristics of a nanophanerophyte, indicating that its woody stems remain relatively short and close to the soil surface.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Palicourea crocea is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically categorized as a shrub. This plant is a terrestrial species, functioning as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. In terms of its structural habit, it is a self-supporting plant, rather than a climber, liana, or vine, and it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior. The plant reaches a maximum height of approximately 5 meters, maintaining a robust and woody architecture throughout its development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Palicourea crocacea is primarily characterized by its reliance on the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic process where carbon dioxide is fixed directly into a three-carbon compound during the initial stages of the Calvin cycle. This pathway involves the enzyme Rubisco facilitating the carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate, which is a standard mechanism for plants growing in environments where water availability is sufficient to support stomatal conductance. Beyond its carbon fixation strategy, the plant's physiological profile is marked by its specialized secondary metabolism, particularly the synthesis of complex bioactive alkaloids and diterpenoids. These chemical compounds are integrated into its physiological defense mechanisms, serving to deter herbivory and manage environmental stressors. The metabolic efficiency of the plant is closely tied to its ability to regulate gas exchange and nutrient uptake through its vascular system, ensuring that the energy captured via its C3 pathway is effectively distributed to support growth and the production of its characteristic medicinal constituents.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Palicourea crocea involves complex mechanisms for seed dissemination to ensure species survival and spatial distribution. The plant exhibits a multifaceted dispersal syndrome characterized by multiple strategies, including anemochorous, zoochorous, autochorous, hydrochorous, and unspecialized methods. Primarily, the species utilizes zoochorous dispersal, where animals play a critical role in transporting seeds to new environments. However, this is complemented by anemochory (wind dispersal) and hydrochory (water dispersal), allowing the seeds to exploit different environmental vectors. Additionally, the plant may employ autochory, involving the self-propulsion of seeds from the parent plant, as well as unspecialized dispersal modes that rely on general environmental factors, ensuring a robust reproductive strategy across varying ecological niches.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Palicourea crocea 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

Preparations

Palicourea crocea 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