Plathymenia reticulata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Plathymenia foliolosa var. paraguariensis
• Plathymenia foliolosa
• Plathymenia modesta
• Chrysoxylon vinhatico
• Pirottantha modesta

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Plathymenia, with the specific species being Plathymenia reticulaata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical presence across several regions of the South American continent. In Northern South America, its distribution includes the country of Suriname. Moving toward the western part of the continent, it can also be found within Bolivia. Within the vast territory of Brazil, the species is widely scattered across multiple distinct areas. Specifically, it inhabits the West-Central, Northeast, and Southeast regions of Brazil.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Plathymeniia reticulata is characterized by its presence across a diverse range of Brazilian biomes, including the Cerrado (lato sensu), Ciliar or Gallery Forests, Semideciduous Seasonal Forests, and Ombrophilous (Rainforest) environments. This adaptability allows the species to inhabit varied landscape structures, from open savanna-like formations to dense, humid forest systems. In terms of topographic distribution, the species thrives within a specific altitudinal gradient, occurring at elevations ranging from a minimum of 300 m AMSL to a maximum of 1100 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Habitat :

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

Life history

The life history of Plathymenia reticulata is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. In terms of its foliage and seasonal adaptations, the plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its leaves periodically as part of its natural developmental rhythm.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Platymeniia reticulata is characterized by its significant stature and robust structural composition. As a woody tree, it exhibits a substantial growth form, reaching a mean height of 10 m, with the potential to attain a maximum height of up to 22 m. This species is strictly terrestrial in its habitat and does not function as an epiphyte, maintaining a ground-based existence. In terms of its structural support, the plant is classified as self-supporting, meaning it does not require external structures like lianas or vines to maintain its upright posture. Furthermore, Platymeniia reticulata is an independent organism, functioning without parasitic dependencies on other plants for its survival.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

22 m

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Plathymenia reticulata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The structural integrity and biomass characteristics of the plant are reflected in a mean stem specific density (SSD) of 500 mg/cm³, indicating a significant investment in woody tissue density. Additionally, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

500 mg/cm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Plathymenia reticulata has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic.

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Plathymenia reticulata has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include snakebites.

Snakebites

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Plathymenia reticulata has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include hydroethanolic extract from the bark.

Hydroethanolic extract from the bark

1. Toxicology reports