Strychnos trinervis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Gardenia trinervis
• Strychnos blumenaviensis
• Strychnos gomesiana

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianales, falling into the family Loganiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus name Strychnos.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across various regions of South America. In Western South America, its presence has been specifically documented within Bolivia. Within Brazil, the species is found across a vast territory spanning the West-Central region. Furthermore, it extends into the Northeast and Southeast portions of the Brazilian landscape. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal plant also encompasses the South region of Brazil.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Strychnos trinervis is characterized by its presence in specific humid environments, primarily inhabiting Floresta Ombrófila (Rainforest) and Restinga ecosystems. This species occupies a coastal to low-altitude ecological niche, with an elevational range spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 500 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga

Life history

The life history of Strychnos trinervis is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived woody plant, it does not follow the rapid turnover of annuals or the two-year cycle of biennials, but instead establishes a stable presence within its ecosystem. This perennial nature supports a sustained developmental process, enabling the plant to invest in robust structural growth and repeated reproductive efforts over many years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Strychnos trinervis is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a tree. It functions as an independent organism, lacking parasitic tendencies, and is primarily a terrestrial species rather than an aquatic or semiaquatic one. In terms of its structural habit, it is an obligatory climber, utilizing its woody stems to ascend through its environment. While it may interact with various forest strata, it is classified as a terrestrial plant in its primary ecological niche, rather than functioning as a holoepiphyte, hemiepiphyte, or any other epiphytic form.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Strychnos trinervis has 1 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 root.

Root

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Strychnos trinervis has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Bisnordihydrotoxiferine, Cantleyine.

Bisnordihydrotoxiferine

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cantleyine

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Activities

Strychnos trinervis has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Spasmolytic.

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Spasmolytic

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Preparations

Strychnos trinervis has 1 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include root bark.

Root bark

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology