Sloanea brachytepala

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sloanea calva

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Oxalidales, specifically as a member of the family Elaeocarpaceae. Taxonomically, it is identified by the genus Sloanea and the species Sloanea brachytepalas.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of habitats across several regions of the Americas. In Central America, its presence is specifically noted within the borders of Costa Rica. Moving into Northern South America, the species can be found in both French Guiana and Venezuela. The distribution extends further into Western South America, where it inhabits parts of Colombia. Finally, the plant's range reaches into the territories of Peru.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Sloanea brachytepala is characterized by its distribution across low-lying coastal and lowland regions, as it thrives within an elevational range starting from 0 m AMSL and reaching a maximum of 100 m AMSL. This narrow altitudinal band suggests a preference for humid, tropical lowland forest ecosystems where soil moisture and temperature remain relatively stable. Occupying these near-sea-level environments, the species is adapted to the specific light regimes and drainage patterns typical of lowland habitats, playing a structural role within its native vegetative community.

Elevational range max:

100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Sloanea brachytepala is characterized by its robust growth form, as it develops as a woody tree rather than a shrub or herb. It is an independent organism, functioning as a non-parasitic species that does not rely on a host for nutrients. In terms of its habitat and ecological positioning, the plant is strictly terrestrial, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic adaptations, and it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior such as being a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte. Furthermore, it is not a climber; it lacks the vine, liana, or self-supporting climbing habits associated with many tropical species, instead maintaining a solid, upright, and woody structural framework.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Sloanea brachytepala has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)