Renealmia thyrsoidea

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ethanium thyrsodeum
• Amomum thyrsoideum
• Alpinia thyrsoidea

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Renealmia thyrsoidea, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae within the order Zingiberales. Furthermore, it is a member of the Zingiberaceae family and falls under the genus Renealmia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range that spans across parts of Central America and the Caribbean. In Central America, its distribution includes the countries of Costa Rica and Panamá. Moving into the Caribbean region, it can be found in Trinidad and Tobago. The species also extends into Northern South America, where it inhabits Guyana. Finally, its presence is documented within the borders of Suriname.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Renealmia thyrsoidea is characterized by its presence within the Floresta de Terra Firme, where it thrives in stable, non-flooded forest environments. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occurring at elevations ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum of 2250 m AMSL. While it can inhabit high-altitude terrain, its distribution is centered around a mean elevation of 325 m AMSL, reflecting its primary ecological niche within the lowland tropical forest structures.

Elevational range max:

2250 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

325 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Terra Firme

Life history

The life history of Renealmia thyrsidea is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. In terms of its structural habit and survival strategy, it functions as a geophyte, meaning it relies on specialized underground storage organs to endure unfavorable environmental conditions and facilitate regrowth during subsequent seasons.

Life form :

geophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Renealmia thyrsoidea is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. This terrestrial species exhibits a self-supporting structure, functioning as a self-supporting plant rather than a liana or vine. It is an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies, and does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, remaining strictly terrestrial. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a maximum height of 2 meters, with an average height of approximately 3 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Renealmia thyrsioidea is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning its carbon fixation process relies on the enzyme Rubisco to incorporate atmospheric carbon dioxide into three-carbon organic compounds during the Calvin cycle. This metabolic strategy indicates that the plant undergoes photorespiration under conditions of high temperature or water stress, a typical trait of plants utilizing the C3 pathway rather than C4 or CAM mechanisms. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, lacking the specialized symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria or internal mechanisms required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Renealmia thyrsoidea is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, indicating a reliance on living organisms to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Specifically, the plant exhibits specialized pollination syndromes centered around birds, which serve as the primary vectors for reproductive success. This avian-mediated process is a fundamental component of its biological cycle, distinguishing its reproductive strategy from abiotic methods such as wind or water. By utilizing birds as pollinators, the plant ensures targeted pollen dispersal through these biotic interactions, which is essential for its continued propagation in its natural habitat.

Pollination syndrome :

bird

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Renealmia thyrsoidea has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include COMPOUND 6, Compound 7, compound 11.

COMPOUND 6

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Compound 7

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

compound 11

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Renealmia thyrsoidea has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include fever.

Fever

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology