Pera benensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pera mildbraediana

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 organized under the order Malpigiaales and the family Peraceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Pera, with the specific species being Pera benensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range primarily concentrated within the western regions of South America. It can be found growing across the diverse landscapes of Bolivia and Colombia. Furthermore, its natural habitat extends through the territories of Peru. In addition to these western locations, the species is also distributed within northern Brazil. This pattern highlights a distribution that spans both the Andean regions and northern Brazilian territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pera benensis is characterized by its presence in diverse tropical forest environments, specifically occupying Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta de Várzea, and Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial). These habitats indicate an adaptation to both well-drained upland soils and seasonally flooded lowland areas, as well as high-humidity rainforest conditions. Furthermore, the species is typically found at a mean elevation of 350 m AMSL, reflecting its preference for specific altitudinal gradients within these forest ecosystems.

Elevational range mean:

350 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta de Várzea, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Pera benensis is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a growth form where the perennating buds are located well above the ground level. Within this structural framework, the plant exhibits a dual classification involving both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte traits, suggesting a stature that remains relatively low yet maintains its vital reproductive and vegetative buds in an exposed, elevated position above the soil surface. This life history strategy allows the species to persist through unfavorable seasons by protecting its meristematic tissues above the substrate, distinguishing it from forms such as chamaephytes or hemicryptophytes that rely on closer proximity to the soil for survival.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Pera benensis is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, reaching a maximum plant height of 26 m. It functions as an independent organism, showing no parasitic tendencies, and is primarily terrestrial in its ecological niche, rather than being aquatic or semiaquatic. Although it possesses the structural capability to exist as a self-supporting entity, it does not exhibit climbing behaviors such as a liana or vine, nor does it function as an epiphyte (whether holoepiphyte, hemiepiphyte, or facultative epiphyte) in its natural state. Its physical structure is defined by a permanent woody composition that supports its significant vertical stature.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

26 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Pera benensis is characterized by its metabolic processes, most notably its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway. As a C3 plant, its carbon fixation occurs primarily through the Calvin cycle, where atmospheric carbon dioxide is directly fixed by the enzyme RuBisCO to form a three-carbon compound, 3-phosphoglycerate. This metabolic strategy implies that the plant conducts its photosynthetic activities under standard atmospheric conditions, relying on the opening of stomata during the day to facilitate gas exchange, which influences its transpiration rates and water-use efficiency. This specific photosynthetic pathway dictates its resource allocation, energy conversion efficiency, and overall growth patterns within its ecological niche.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Pera benensis 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 stem.

Stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Pera benensis has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3,3'-Biplumbagin, Lupeol, Plumbagin.

3,3'-Biplumbagin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Lupeol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Plumbagin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Pera benensis has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include chloroform extracts, stem barks.

Chloroform extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Stem barks

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology