Qualea cordata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant is geographically distributed across several key regions of South America. In the western part of the continent, its presence is noted within Bolivia. Its range extends significantly into Brazil, where it can be found in the West-Central region. Additionally, the species inhabits the Northeast and Southeast territories of Brazil. Finally, its distribution includes the Southern portion of the Brazilian landscape.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Qualea cordata is characterized by its adaptation to specific low-altitude environments, primarily occupying habitats classified as Campo Limpo. This species thrives within a distinct elevational range that extends from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 500 m AMSL. Its presence in these open, grassy formations suggests a specialized niche within its ecosystem, where it manages the environmental conditions typical of these lower-elevation landscapes.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campo Limpo

Life history

The life history of Qualea cordata is characterized by its existence as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many successive growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that defines its growth habit and survival strategy. The plant follows a deciduous pattern, shedding its foliage periodically, which typically serves as a physiological response to seasonal changes or moisture availability. This combination of a long-lived perennial lifecycle, a phanerophyte life form, and deciduousness governs its ecological presence and seasonal phenology.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Qualea cordata is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a self-supporting tree. This terrestrial species is independent, functioning without parasitic relationships, and does not exhibit epiphytic behavior. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a mean height of 15 m, though its height can range up to a maximum of 8 m depending on environmental conditions and specific developmental stages.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

8 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Qualea cordata is characterized by a specific metabolic framework tailored to its environmental adaptations. It utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a process where carbon fixation occurs through the Calvin cycle without the specialized CO2-concentrating mechanisms found in other groups. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, relying instead on the uptake of nitrogen from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Qualea cordata 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. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia