Qualea grandiflora

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lozania grandiflora
• Agardhia grandiflora
• Qualea ecalcarata
• Schuechia brasiliensis

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 Myrtales, it is classified under the family Vochysiaeae and is specifically identified by the genus Qualea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across several regions of the South American continent. In Northern South America, its presence is noted within the borders of Suriname. Moving toward the west, the species can also be found inhabiting parts of Bolivia and Peru. Within the vast territory of Brazil, its distribution is widespread across the West-Central region. Additionally, the plant is documented growing throughout the Northeast region of Brazil.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Qualea grandiflora is characterized by its prevalence within the Cerrado (latu sensu) biome, where it plays a significant role in the structure of the vegetation. This species is adapted to a specific altitudinal gradient, typically occupying lowland areas and extending up to a maximum elevation of 500 m AMSL. Its distribution starts from a minimum elevation of 0 m AMSL, allowing it to thrive in the diverse landscape typologies found within the tropical savanna ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu)

Life history

The life history of Qualea grandiflora is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to establish long-term presence within its native ecosystem. Throughout its developmental stages, the plant exhibits a deciduous habit, undergoing seasonal leaf shedding that typically synchronizes with specific climatic shifts or dry periods. This cyclical pattern of growth and dormancy defines its seasonal rhythm, as it transitions between periods of active foliage production and its deciduous phase.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Qualea grandiflora is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, exhibiting a self-supporting growth form. It reaches a typical height of approximately 10 m, with a maximum height recorded at the same value. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic habits, functioning instead as an independent organism without parasitic or hemi-epiphytic dependencies. Its structural development is defined by its woody nature, establishing a robust, self-supporting presence within its habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Qualea grandiflora is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic strategy common among many woody species in its habitat that relies on the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the enzyme Rubisco. This pathway dictates its gas exchange patterns and water-use efficiency within its specific ecological niche. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, and instead must rely on the uptake of available nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Qualea grandiflora 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. Pharmacognosy magazine

Chemicals

Qualea grandiflora has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Phytosteroids, Saponins, Steroids, Tannins, Terpenes.

Phytosteroids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Saponins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Steroids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Tannins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Terpenes

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

polyphenols

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Qualea grandiflora has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiplasmodial.

Antiplasmodial

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Medicinal Uses

Qualea grandiflora has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Plasmodium falciparum, gastric diseases, gastric ulcers, gastritis, ulcers.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations