Sterculia striata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Clompanus striata
• Sterculia lasiantha

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Malvales, it is classified under the family Malvaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Sterculia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad presence across several regions in South America. In the western part of the continent, it can be found within the country of Bolivia. Its distribution extends extensively throughout Brazil, covering a significant portion of the landmass. Specifically, it is documented in the North, Northeast, Southeast, and West-Central regions of Brazil. These various locations highlight the plant's diverse ecological reach across the tropical landscape.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Sterculia striata is characterized by its presence across a diverse array of Brazilian biomes and forest types, including the Caatinga (strictu sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar or Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual, and Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial). This plant exhibits a specific altitudinal distribution, typically thriving at relatively low elevations. Its elevational range spans from a minimum of 100 m AMSL to a maximum of 500 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 250 m AMSL, reflecting its adaptation to these varying lowland and transitional ecological niches.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

250 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Sterculia striata is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its vital organs and buds are elevated above the ground level, typically manifesting as a woody tree structure. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, undergoing a period of leaf shedding which is often synchronized with seasonal environmental changes. Its biological strategy as a phanerophyte ensures its survival and structural dominance within its ecological niche over an extended lifespan.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Sterculia striata is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that is entirely self-supporting, rather than acting as a climber or a vine. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte or a parasite, maintaining an independent life cycle. The plant reaches significant dimensions, with an average height of approximately 12 meters and the potential to reach a maximum height of up to 22 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

22 m

Plant height mean:

12 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Sterculia striata is characterized by complex metabolic processes and specific nutrient acquisition strategies that support its growth in various tropical environments. Regarding its nutrient cycling 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 usable forms for its own development. Instead, it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system. The plant's physiological framework involves efficient photosynthetic pathways to drive biomass production and specialized secondary metabolic pathways that facilitate the synthesis of bioactive compounds. These metabolic processes are integral to its survival and its medicinal properties, allowing the plant to adapt to environmental stressors while maintaining its internal chemical balance.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Sterculia striata has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Lupeol.

Lupeol

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Activities

Sterculia striata has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antinociceptive.

Antinociceptive

1. Journal of medicinal food

Medicinal Uses

Sterculia striata has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include edema, nociception.

Most Reported Uses