Sloanea zuliaensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sloanea microcephala
• Sloanea macropoda

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, situated within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Oxalidales and the family Elaeocarpaceae. Ultimately, the species is identified by its genus, Sloanea, and its specific epithet, zuliaensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several regions in the Americas. In Central America, its presence is documented in both Costa Rica and Panamá. Moving into Northern South America, the species can be found within the borders of Venezuela. Its range also extends through Western South America, where it inhabits Colombia. Finally, the plant is also distributed throughout Ecuador.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Sloanea zuliaensis is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse vertical gradient within its natural habitat. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal tolerance, occupying various ecological niches ranging from lowland areas at sea level up to significant montane elevations. Specifically, its elevational range extends from a minimum of 0 m AMSL to a maximum of 2000 m AMSL, allowing it to adapt to a variety of environmental conditions and microclimates found across this substantial topographical span.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Sloanea zuliaensis is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, exhibiting a robust and self-supporting growth form. It is classified as a terrestrial organism, functioning as an independent species that does not rely on parasitic or epiphytic life strategies, such as being a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte. Unlike climbing vines or lianas, this plant maintains a self-supporting structure rather than acting as an obligatory or facultative climber. Furthermore, its ecological niche is strictly land-based, as it lacks aquatic or semiaquatic adaptations, remaining a purely terrestrial woody plant.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Sloanea zuliaensis is centered around the production of seeds that serve as the primary vehicle for dispersal and new growth. These seeds exhibit significant morphological variation in their dimensions, typically ranging in length from a minimum of 6 mm to a maximum of 15 mm. The developmental process concludes with the release of these seeds, which carry the genetic potential necessary to establish new individuals within their ecological niche, governed by these specific size parameters.

Seed length max:

15 mm

Seed length min:

6 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Sloanea zuliaensis 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Sloanea zuliaensis has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2-deoxycucurbitacin D, 25-acetylcucurbitacin F, Cucurbitacin D.

2-deoxycucurbitacin D

1. Journal of natural products

25-acetylcucurbitacin F

1. Journal of natural products

Cucurbitacin D

1. Journal of natural products