Protium glabrescens

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Protium marthae

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Protium glabrescens, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Sapindales. Finally, it is a member of the family Burseraceae and is situated within the genus Protium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse presence across the South American continent. In the northern region, its distribution includes the country of Suriname. Moving toward the western part of the continent, it can be found within the borders of Colombia. The species also extends its range through Ecuador and Peru. Finally, its western distribution is completed by its presence in Bolivia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Protium glabrescens is characterized by its presence in specific lowland forest ecosystems, primarily inhabiting Floresta de Terra Firme and Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial). This species thrives within these moist, tropical environments, occupying an elevational range that begins at 100 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 600 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Habitat :

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

Morphology

The morphology of Protium glabrescens is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 40 meters. It is a terrestrial species, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. Unlike climbing plants such as lianas or vines, this species is entirely self-supporting, possessing a sturdy, woody structure that allows it to maintain its vertical stature without the need for external support.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

40 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Protium glabrescens is fundamentally characterized by its reliance on the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic process in which the first stable product of carbon fixation is a three-carbon molecule. This pathway involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide by the enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) within the mesophyll cells. As a C3 plant, its physiological efficiency is highly dependent on environmental conditions, particularly temperature and moisture availability, as the process is susceptible to photorespiration when stomatal conductance decreases. The plant's metabolic activities are closely integrated with its ability to manage gas exchange and water use efficiency through these C3 mechanisms, which dictate its growth patterns and energy production within its specific ecological niche.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Protium glabrescens is characterized by specific morphological dimensions regarding its propagules, which play a critical role in its dispersal and establishment within its natural habitat. The seeds produced by this species exhibit a highly consistent volume, showing no significant variation across the observed population. Detailed quantitative analysis reveals that the seed volume remains constant at a value of 280 mm³, with the minimum, maximum, and mean volumes all aligning at this precise measurement of 280 mm³. This uniformity in seed size suggests a stable reproductive strategy, ensuring that each offspring possesses a standardized amount of nutrient reserves to facilitate initial growth following germination.

Seed volume max:

280 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Protium glabrescens has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include resin.

resin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Protium glabrescens has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic.

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Protium glabrescens has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include resin.

Resin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology