Mistol

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ziziphus oblongifolia
• Ziziphus mistol
• Ziziphus weberbaueri

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Rosales and the family Rhamnaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Sarcomphalus and the species name Sarcomphalus mistol.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several regions of South America. In the western part of the continent, its presence is documented in both Bolivia and Peru. Moving toward the southern reaches, it is found throughout the northeast and northwest regions of Argentina. Additionally, its habitat extends into the territory of Paraguay. Together, these locations highlight the diverse environmental range inhabited by Sarcomphalus mistol.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Sarcomphalus mistol is characterized by its specific distribution across diverse altitudinal gradients and specialized environmental niches. This species inhabits an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends to a maximum altitude of 1475 m AMSL. Its preferred habitat is primarily found within riparian ecosystems, specifically occurring in Floresta Ciliar (riparian forests) or Galeria (gallery forests), where it benefits from the proximity to watercourses and the unique microclimates provided by these forested corridors.

Elevational range max:

1475 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria

Life history

The life history of Sarcomphalus mistol is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, ensuring its long-term presence and survival within its ecological niche through multiple growing seasons. Structurally, the species is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting life forms consistent with both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte categories, which indicates that its perennating buds are located high above the ground on woody stems or branches. This growth habit allows the plant to maintain a stable architectural form over its extended lifespan, facilitating continuous development and reproductive potential over many years.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Sarcomphalus mistol is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which can reach a mean height of 8 m and a maximum height of up to 15 m. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor semiaquatic, and it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The plant is strictly self-supporting in its structure, lacking the climbing habits of lianas or vines, and it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, maintaining a terrestrial existence.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Sarcomphalus mistol is characterized by a metabolic framework centered on a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates how the plant captures carbon dioxide and processes solar energy through the Calvin cycle. Unlike plants utilizing C4 or CAM pathways, its carbon fixation occurs entirely within the mesophyll cells, a trait common among many woody species adapted to specific environmental niches. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition capabilities, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, relying instead on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Sarcomphalus mistol has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, leaf.

Fruit

1. Photochemical & photobiological sciences : Official journal of the European Photochemistry Association and the European Society for Photobiology

Leaf

1. Photochemical & photobiological sciences : Official journal of the European Photochemistry Association and the European Society for Photobiology

Activities

Sarcomphalus mistol has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Photochemical & photobiological sciences : Official journal of the European Photochemistry Association and the European Society for Photobiology