Jamaican gooseberry tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Jamaican gooseberry tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Phyllanthus lycioides
• Phyllanthus foetidus
• Phyllanthus averrhoifolius
• Phyllanthus acuminatus var. paraguariensis
• Phyllanthus cumanensis
• Phyllanthus mucronatus
• Phyllanthus sessei
• Phyllanthus ruscoides
• Diasperus acuminatus

Regional and Traditional Names

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 falls under the order Malpighiales and the family Phyllanthaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Phyllanthus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad and diverse distribution across the various regions of Mexico. It can be found growing throughout the Northeast part of the country. Additionally, its presence is noted within the Mexico Gulf region. The species also extends into the Northwest and Southwest areas of the nation. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal plant is completed by its occurrence in Mexico Southeast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Phyllanthus acuminatus is characterized by its ability to inhabit diverse and complex biomes, specifically thriving within the Cerrado (latu sensu), Ciliar Forests or Gallery Forests, and Ombrophilous Forests (also known as Pluvial Forests). This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, allowing it to adapt to varying topographical conditions. It can be found at elevations starting as low as 50 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 600 m AMSL, and reaching a maximum altitude of up to 1750 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1750 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

50 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Phyllanthus acuminatus is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem over multiple growing seasons. Regarding its structural development and growth habit, it exhibits characteristics consistent with both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms, indicating a growth strategy where its buds are located on aerial branches that may vary in height depending on environmental conditions and available resources.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Phyllanthus acuminatus is characterized by a woody growth form that manifests as both a shrub and a tree, reaching a significant plant height ranging from a minimum of 2 meters to a maximum of 8 meters. It is a terrestrial species, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite, and it lacks epiphytic tendencies, remaining strictly terrestrial in its habitat. Although its ecological range can encompass aquatic or semiaquatic environments, its primary structural classification remains terrestrial. The plant exhibits a self-supporting growth habit, lacking the climbing or vining characteristics of lianas, and maintains a robust, woody architecture throughout its development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

8 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Phyllanthus acuminatus has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antifungal.

Antibacterial

1. Fitoterapia

Antifungal

1. Fitoterapia

Preparations

Phyllanthus acuminatus has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Methylene chloride and methanol extracts.

Methylene chloride and methanol extracts

1. Fitoterapia