Sebastiania brasiliensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Gymnanthes brasiliensis
• Stillingia brasiliensis
• Gymnanthes brasiliensis var. genuina
• Actinostemon brasiliensis
• Excoecaria brasiliensis

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 class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Malpighiales and the family Euphorbiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Sebastiania.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Sebastiania brasiliensis, exhibits a specific and localized geographical distribution. Within the vast territory of South America, its presence is primarily concentrated in the country of Brazil. More specifically, the species is found inhabiting the regions located in the Southeast part of the nation. This limited range suggests that the plant thrives under the particular environmental conditions found in those Brazilian states. Consequently, its natural habitat is closely tied to the ecological characteristics of the Southeast Brazilian landscape.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Sebastiania brasiliensis is characterized by its adaptability to diverse South American landscapes, primarily thriving within the habitats of Campo Limpo, Cerrado (latu sensu), Floresta Estacional Decidual, and Floresta Estacional Perenifólia. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 1500 m AMSL. Throughout its natural range, it maintains an average elevation of approximately 1060 m AMSL, allowing it to occupy various ecological niches across both open and forested biomes.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1060 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campo Limpo, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Perenifólia

Life history

The life history of Sebastiania brasiliensis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth and ecological strategy, it is classified as a phanerophyte, indicating that its reproductive buds are elevated above the ground level on woody stems. Additionally, within certain ecological contexts or developmental stages, its growth habit can be described as a nanophanerophyte, reflecting its specific stature and the height at which its aerial parts are maintained.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Sebastiania brasiliensis is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as either a shrub or a tree. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber or a liana, and it operates as an independent organism rather than a parasite. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant vertical development, reaching a maximum height of 10 m, with an average plant height of approximately 4.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

4.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Sebastiania brasiliensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in varying environmental conditions. As a C3 plant, it utilizes the enzyme Rubisco to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide directly into the Calvin cycle, typically favoring environments with moderate temperatures and sufficient moisture. 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 a usable form, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil to meet its nutritional requirements for growth and development.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Sebastiania brasiliensis has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Gallic acid, Methylgallate, kaempferol, protocatechuic acid, quercetin.

Gallic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Methylgallate

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

kaempferol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

protocatechuic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

quercetin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

quercitrin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Sebastiania brasiliensis has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiseptic.

Antiseptic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Sebastiania brasiliensis has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include infectious diseases.

Infectious diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Sebastiania brasiliensis has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 50% hydroalcoholic extract, aqueous extracts.

50% hydroalcoholic extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aqueous extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology