funeral tree

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Myrodia funebris
• Lexarza funebris

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 Malvales and the family Malvaceae, it is classified under the genus Quararibea. As a member of the species Quararibea funebris, it represents a specific lineage within this botanical hierarchy.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide distribution across several key regions within Mexico. It can be found growing in the central part of the country, specifically in Mexico Central. Its presence extends to the eastern coastal regions, including Mexico Northeast and Mexico Gulf. Additionally, the species is distributed throughout the western territories of Mexico Southwest. Finally, the plant is also documented to inhabit the tropical landscapes of Mexico Southeast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Quararibea funebris is fundamentally defined by its specialized existence within the complex architecture of the forest. As a forest-dwelling species, it relies on the stable microclimates provided by the canopy cover, which regulates temperature fluctuations and maintains the high humidity levels necessary for its physiological processes. This habitat provides a dense structural environment that offers protection from extreme solar radiation and wind, while also facilitating a rich interface for symbiotic relationships with soil microbiota and potential insect pollinators. Within these forested ecosystems, the plant occupies specific niches where the interplay of light availability, soil moisture, and organic matter accumulation supports its growth and reproductive cycles.

Habitat :

forest

Life history

The life history of Quararibea funebris is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it does not complete its biological cycle in a single year or two but instead establishes a long-term presence in its natural habitat, often relying on robust root systems or rhizomatous structures to survive periods of dormancy or unfavorable environmental conditions. This extended lifespan enables the plant to accumulate sufficient energy reserves to support repeated reproductive cycles, contributing to its stability and longevity within its ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Quararibea funebris is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, reaching a significant stature with a mean height of approximately 15 m and a maximum height of up to 19 m. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently in its environment without functioning as a parasite or an epiphyte. Despite its substantial size, its climbing habit is classified as self-supporting rather than acting as a liana or a vine, allowing it to maintain its structural integrity as a large, woody organism.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

19 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Quararibea funebris is characterized by specific metabolic and structural adaptations, most notably its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway. The plant exhibits a consistent leaf dry matter content (LDMC) of 320 mg/g, with the minimum, mean, and maximum values all converging at this single measurement, indicating a highly uniform concentration of biomass within the leaf tissue. Its leaf morphology is defined by a Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 204.4 cm²/g, a value that remains constant across its minimum, mean, and maximum recorded range. Structural support and resource transport are facilitated by a stem specific density (SSD) of 700 mg/cm³, which also shows no variance between its minimum, mean, and maximum recorded parameters. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on other methods for nutrient acquisition.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

320 mg/g

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

204.4 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) min:

700 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Quararibea funebris is characterized by specific seed morphology and dispersal mechanisms. The plant produces seeds that are highly uniform in size, maintaining a consistent seed length of exactly 13.5 mm, with no recorded deviation between its minimum and maximum measurements. Similarly, the seed mass exhibits complete uniformity, with both the mean, minimum, and maximum values recorded at 0.92 g. In terms of its reproductive strategy, the species utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, indicating that its seeds are primarily dispersed by animals, although the broader ecological context may involve other modes such as anemochorous, autochorous, hydrochorous, or unspecialized dispersal.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Seed length mean:

13.5 mm

Seed mass mean:

0.92 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Quararibea funebris 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 flower.

Flower

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Quararibea funebris has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Funebradiol.

Funebradiol

1. Journal of natural products