Ptychopetalum olacoides

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Acanthea virilis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Santalales, it is classified under the family Olaacaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by its genus, Ptychopetalum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found within the diverse ecosystems of Northern South America. Its distribution includes the tropical regions of French Guiana and Guyana. Furthermore, the species can be identified throughout the territory of Suriname. In the vast expanse of Brazil, it is specifically located in the northern part of the country. This localized range highlights its presence in the humid landscapes of the northern continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ptychopetalum olacoides is characterized by its presence in diverse tropical ecosystems, primarily thriving within the Floresta Ombrófila (Ombrophilous Forest), which is synonymous with tropical rainforest environments. In these habitats, the species benefits from high levels of humidity and consistent precipitation typical of pluvial systems. Additionally, the plant exhibits adaptability to the Savaana Amazônica (Amazonian Savanna), indicating an ability to tolerate different soil compositions and moisture regimes found within the transitional zones of the Amazon biome. This distribution across both dense, closed-canopy forests and more open, seasonally dry savanna landscapes suggests a broad ecological niche within the Neotropical region.

Habitat :

Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Savana Amazônica

Life history

The life history of Ptychopetalum olacoidides is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. As a perennial species, it undergoes recurring cycles of vegetative growth and reproductive development, allowing it to establish a more permanent presence within its ecological niche. This long-term survival strategy enables the plant to accumulate resources over several years, contributing to its structural stability and its ability to withstand varying environmental conditions across successive seasons.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ptychopetalum olacoides is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a tree. This plant is a terrestrial species, existing independently without parasitic or epiphytic dependencies. In terms of its physical stature, it exhibits significant vertical development, with a mean plant height of approximately 5 m, though it can reach a maximum height of up to 20 m. Although it possesses a tree-like growth form, its structural climbing habit is classified as self-supporting, rather than acting as an obligatory or facultative vine or liana.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ptychopetalum olaoides is characterized by its metabolic processes and nutritional strategies, particularly regarding its interaction with soil nutrients. In terms of its nitrogen acquisition strategy, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its physiological nitrogen uptake is entirely dependent on the absorption of nitrates and ammonium present in the soil through its root system. This reliance necessitates a robust root architecture capable of efficient nutrient scavenging to support its vegetative growth and secondary metabolite production. The plant's metabolic pathways are geared toward the synthesis of specific bioactive compounds, which are integrated into its physiological development as it adapts to its specific ecological niche.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ptychopetalum olacoides 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 root.

Root

1. Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior

Chemicals

Ptychopetalum olacoides has 66 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3-methoxyluteolin, 4-Coumaroylserotonin, 6alpha,7alpha-dihydroxyannonene, 7alpha,20-dihydroxyannonene, 9,11-Dehydroergosterol peroxide.

3-methoxyluteolin

1. Natural product research

4-Coumaroylserotonin

1. Natural product research

6alpha,7alpha-dihydroxyannonene

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters

7alpha,20-dihydroxyannonene

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters

9,11-Dehydroergosterol peroxide

1. Dr. Duke

ALPHA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

Allo-Aromadendrene

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha terpinene

1. Dr. Duke

Arachidic acid

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Ptychopetalum olacoides has 278 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, AChE-Inhibitor, Neuroprotective, Nootropic, (-)-Chronotropic.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
3. Physiology & behavior

AChE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Neuroprotective

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
2. Physiology & behavior

Nootropic

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
2. Physiology & behavior

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Ptychopetalum olacoides has 8 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Acinetobacter baumannii, Alzheimer disease, Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, cognition.

Acinetobacter baumannii

1. SpringerPlus

Alzheimer disease

1. Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior

Alzheimer's disease

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Anxiety

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Cognition

1. Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior

Cognitive decline

1. Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior

Cognitive impairment

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Inflammation

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Preparations

Ptychopetalum olacoides has 9 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include MeOH extract, POEE, standardized ethanol extract, MeOH extract of the bark, Ptychopetalum olacoides extract.

Meoh extract

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters
2. Journal of natural products

Poee

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
2. Physiology & behavior

Standardized ethanol extract

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
2. Physiology & behavior

Meoh extract of the bark

1. Natural product communications

Ptychopetalum olacoides extract

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Aqueous extracts

1. SpringerPlus

Ethanol extracts

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Extracts

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Herbal medicinal extract

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR