Psychotria carthagenensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions in North and Central America. Within Mexico, it can be found spanning from the Gulf coast to the Southwest. Its presence also extends throughout the Southeast region of Mexico. Moving into Central America, the species is documented in Belize. Finally, its geographical range reaches as far south as Costa Rica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Psychotria cartagenensis is characterized by its adaptation to diverse altitudinal gradients and specific moisture-rich environments. This species exhibits a broad elevational range, spanning from sea level at 0 m AMSL up to high-altitude reaches of 2300 m AMSL. Within these vertical zones, its primary habitat is found in bosque bajo (understory) environments, where it specifically thrives on saturated soil. This preference for waterlogged or highly moist substrates within the shaded layers of the forest suggests a specialized niche requirement for consistent soil moisture and low-light conditions typical of dense forest undergrowth.

Elevational range max:

2300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Bosque bajo on saturated soil

Life history

The life history of Psychotria cartagenensis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. It exhibits a dual life form classification depending on its developmental stage or specific environmental niche, manifesting as both a phanerophyte, where its stem is elevated above the ground, and as a nanophanerophyte, indicating a more compact growth habit with short stems. Throughout its existence, the plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and present year-round rather than shedding seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Psychotria cartagenensis is characterized by its woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a shrub. This plant is a terrestrial species that grows independently, showing no parasitic tendencies. In terms of its physical stature, it reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 3 meters to a maximum of 7 meters, with an average plant height of approximately 2 meters. Regarding its structural habit, the plant is self-supporting, functioning as a self-supporting shrub rather than a liana, vine, or climbing entity.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

7 m

Plant height mean:

2 m

Plant height min:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Psychotria cartagenensis is characterized by specific structural and metabolic parameters that define its growth patterns and ecological niche. A key component of its physical composition is its stem specific density (SSD), which maintains a mean value of 520 mg/cm³, reflecting the internal density and structural integrity of its vascular tissues. In terms of nutrient cycling and metabolic cooperation, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for the plant. This indicates that the plant relies on the uptake of nitrogen from the soil through its root system rather than through biological nitrogen fixation.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

520 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Psychotria cartagenensis is characterized by a specialized reproductive strategy centered on the production of fleshy fruits, which facilitates a zoochorous dispersal syndrome. The seeds produced by this species are remarkably uniform in size, possessing a constant length of approximately 4.068 mm and a consistent volume of 9 mm³. This lack of variation in seed dimensions, with both the minimum and maximum recorded values remaining at 4.068 mm for length and 9 mm³ for volume, suggests a highly stabilized morphological trait within the species. By producing fleshy fruits, the plant relies on animal vectors to consume the fruit and transport the seeds to new locations, ensuring effective dispersal through the ecosystem.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed length mean:

4.068 mm

Seed volume max:

9 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Psychotria carthagenensis 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Psychotria carthagenensis has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ayahuasca.

Ayahuasca

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology