Picramnia latifolia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Picramnia macrostachys
• Picramnia cooperi
• Picramnia longissima
• Picramnia umbrosa
• Picramnia eosina

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Picramnia latifolia, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Picramniales. Ultimately, it is a member of the family Picramniaceae and the genus Picramnia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across various regions of North and Central America. In Mexico, its presence is noted in the Gulf region as well as the Southwest. Moving southward into Central America, it can be found throughout the country of Costa Rica. The species also inhabits the landscapes of Honduras. Finally, its geographical range extends into the territory of Nicaragua.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Picramnia latifolia is characterized by its presence in diverse forest ecosystems, specifically within Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta de Várzea, and Floresta Ombrófila Mista habitats. This species demonstrates a broad altitudinal distribution, ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1000 m AMSL. Across its known range, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 500 m AMSL, allowing it to occupy various niche environments within these distinct forest types.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta de Várzea, Floresta Ombrófila Mista

Life history

The life history of Picramnia latifolia is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived species, it avoids the rapid turnover seen in annual or biennial plants, instead establishing a robust structural presence that supports continuous ecological functions over time. This perennial lifecycle enables the plant to invest heavily in woody growth and complex root systems, providing the stability necessary to survive seasonal fluctuations and varying environmental stressors. Through this extended lifespan, the plant can engage in repeated reproductive cycles, ensuring long-term population stability within its natural habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Picramnia latifolia is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, typically exhibiting a self-supporting growth habit. It reaches an average height of approximately 5.5 m, though it can attain a maximum height of up to 12 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not function as an epiphyte or an aquatic plant, maintaining an independent existence without parasitic requirements. Its structural development is defined by a robust, woody composition, ensuring its stability as a self-supporting organism within its ecosystem.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12 m

Plant height mean:

5.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Picramnia latifolia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits a consistent leaf dry matter content (LDMC) with a mean, minimum, and maximum value of 447.2 mg/g, indicating a uniform structural density within its foliar tissues. Furthermore, Picramnia latifolia does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on external soil nutrient availability rather than symbiotic biological nitrogen fixation to support its growth and physiological development.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

447.2 mg/g

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Picramnia latifolia is characterized by specific reproductive strategies and seed morphological traits. The species does not engage in self-fertilization, as the trait is noted to be absent, indicating a reliance on cross-pollination mechanisms. Regarding the distribution of its progeny, the plant exhibits a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning its seeds are primarily dispersed by animals. The seeds themselves vary in size, with a recorded minimum mass of 0.0569 g and a maximum mass of 0.117 g, resulting in a calculated mean seed mass of 0.08695 g.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Seed mass max:

0.117 g

Seed mass mean:

0.08695 g

Seed mass min:

0.0569 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Picramnia latifolia has 2 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, root.

Leaf

1. Journal of natural products

Root

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Picramnia latifolia has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,5-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-3-methylanthraquinone, 7-Hydroxy-6-methoxycoumarin, 7-hydroxycoumarin, BETA-SITOSTEROL, Chrysophanein.

1,5-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-3-methylanthraquinone

1. Journal of natural products

7-Hydroxy-6-methoxycoumarin

1. Journal of natural products

7-hydroxycoumarin

1. Journal of natural products

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Journal of natural products

Chrysophanein

1. Journal of natural products

Chrysophanol

1. Journal of natural products

Pulmatin

1. Journal of natural products

beta-Sitosterol glucoside

1. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Picramnia latifolia has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include malaria.

Malaria

1. Malaria journal

Preparations

Picramnia latifolia has 3 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include chloroform-soluble extracts of both the roots and leaves, ethanolic extracts, extracts.

Chloroform-soluble extracts of both the roots and leaves

1. Journal of natural products

Ethanolic extracts

1. Malaria journal

Extracts

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)