shaving-brush-tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• shaving-brush-tree
• Shaving Brush Tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Bombax ellipticum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malvales, it is further categorized under the family Malvaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Pseudobombax.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across different regions of the Pacific and North America. Within the Northwestern Pacific, it can be found located in the Marshall Islands. Its presence in Mexico is extensive, covering the central territories of the country. Additionally, the species is distributed throughout the northeast and gulf regions of Mexico. Finally, its range extends to the northwest portion of the Mexican landscape.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Pseudobombax ellipticum is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. Its developmental cycle is marked by a deciduous habit, meaning it undergoes a seasonal shedding of its foliage, typically in response to dry periods or specific climatic shifts. This rhythmic loss of leaves is a key component of its physiological strategy, alternating between periods of active vegetative growth and dormant phases.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pseudobombax ellipticum is characterized by a robust, woody growth form, specifically classified as a tree. As a terrestrial organism, it does not exhibit aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies, maintaining an independent life cycle without functioning as a parasite or requiring a host for support. Unlike climbing species such as lianas or vines, this plant is entirely self-supporting, relying on its strong, woody structure to maintain its stature within its habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Pseudobombax ellipticum is characterized by a specific metabolic framework designed for carbon assimilation and nutrient acquisition. The plant utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle, a process typical of many woody species in its family. In terms of nutrient cycling, it does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil rather than establishing symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Pseudobombax ellipticum is characterized by a specific seed morphology and a specialized dispersal strategy. The seeds produced by this species are remarkably uniform in size, maintaining a consistent mass across the population with a mean, minimum, and maximum value all recorded at 0.06946 g. In terms of its dispersal syndrome, the plant primarily utilizes an anemochorous mechanism, relying on wind currents to transport its seeds away from the parent plant to colonize new areas.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Seed mass mean:

0.06946 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Pseudobombax ellipticum has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthocyanins, Flavonoids.

Anthocyanins

1. RSC advances

Flavonoids

1. RSC advances

Activities

Pseudobombax ellipticum has 4 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antisickling.

Analgesic

1. RSC advances

Antimicrobial

1. RSC advances

Antioxidant

1. RSC advances

Antisickling

1. RSC advances

Conditions

Pseudobombax ellipticum has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include fever, sickle cell anemia.

Fever

1. RSC advances

Sickle cell anemia

1. RSC advances