Psychotria brachyceras

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Uragoga brachyceras

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Gentianales, it is a member of the Rubiaceae family. Finally, it is specifically categorized under the genus Psychotria, with its species name being brachyceras.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific range of occurrence within the South American continent. Its documented presence is concentrated primarily within the borders of Brazil. Specifically, it can be found inhabiting the diverse ecosystems of Southeast Brazil. Additionally, the species extends its range into the southern regions of the country. Therefore, its geographical distribution is limited to the Southeast and South of Brazil.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Psychotria brachyceas is characterized by its presence in specific coastal and lowland forest ecosystems, primarily inhabiting Floresta Ombrófila (Rainforest) and Restinga environments. This species thrives within a low-altitude environmental niche, maintaining an elevational range that extends from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum of 300 m AMSL. By occupying these humid and sandy-soil habitats, the plant integrates into the complex structural and biological layers of the Atlantic Forest biome, where moisture levels and soil compositions of the Restinga are fundamental to its distribution.

Elevational range max:

300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga

Life history

The life history of Psychotria brachyceras is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, ensuring its persistence across multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural development and growth habit, the plant exhibits a dual classification of life forms; it functions as a phanerophyte, possessing significant woody stems that elevate its photosynthetic organs above the ground, while also displaying characteristics of a nanophanerophyte, which suggests a compact growth structure where the branches remain relatively close to the substrate.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Psychotria brachyceps is characterized by its distinct growth form and structural habits. It is a woody plant that primarily presents as a shrub or a herb, exhibiting a robust and independent biological nature as it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. In terms of its ecological positioning, the plant is terrestrial, lacking any epiphytic or aquatic tendencies, and it does not require water-saturated environments to thrive. Furthermore, the species is self-supporting in its structure, meaning it does not function as an obligatory or facultative climber, liana, or vine, but instead maintains its own upright stature within its terrestrial habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Psychotria brachyceras has 5 reported plant parts identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, fruit, root, seed, stem.

Leaf

1. Journal of chemical ecology
2. Journal of natural products

Fruit

1. Journal of chemical ecology

Root

1. Journal of chemical ecology

Seed

1. Journal of chemical ecology

Stem

1. Journal of chemical ecology

Chemicals

Psychotria brachyceras has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Brachycerine.

Brachycerine

1. Journal of natural products