Pilocarpus spicatus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide presence across several key regions of Brazil. Its occurrence is notably documented within the Northeast region of the country. Additionally, the species can be found throughout the Southeast portion of Brazil. It also extends its natural range into the South region. Consequently, these findings highlight a broad geographical distribution across much of the Brazilian territory.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pilocarpus spicatus is fundamentally defined by its occurrence within specific forest biomes, primarily thriving in the Floresta Estacional Semidecidual and the Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial). This distribution indicates a capacity to inhabit environments characterized by varying seasonal moisture levels, ranging from semi-deciduous woodlands with distinct dry periods to more humid, high-rainfall tropical rainforest ecosystems. The plant's presence in these diverse habitats suggests an adaptability to different light intensities and soil moisture regimes inherent to these forest structures, allowing it to integrate into both seasonally fluctuating landscapes and consistently moist, lush forest understories.

Habitat :

Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Morphology

The morphology of Pilocarpus spicatus is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which can reach a maximum plant height of 5 meters. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte, remaining instead as a ground-based organism. The plant is biologically independent, showing no parasitic behavior, and it possesses a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a climber. Its physical composition is defined by its woodiness, providing the necessary structural integrity for its arboreal habit.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Pilocarpus spicatus 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

Preparations

Pilocarpus spicatus has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include crude extracts of the stems.

Crude extracts of the stems

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology