Stylosanthes angustifolia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Stylosanthes tenuifolia
• Astyposanthes angustifolia

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Stylosanthes as the species Stylosanthes angustifolia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the northern regions of South America. Specifically, it can be found inhabiting the territories of French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. Its presence also extends into the nation of Venezuela. Additionally, the species has a recorded range within the West-Central region of Brazil. These specific locations define the known geographical footprint of Stylosanthes angustifolia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Stylosanthes angustifolia is characterized by its presence in diverse and specialized Brazilian biomes, demonstrating a significant capacity for adaptation to varying environmental conditions. It is predominantly found within the Caatinga (strictu sensu), where it must navigate semi-arid conditions, as well as in the Campo Limpo and Campo Rupestre formations, which often involve rocky substrates and specific microclimates. Additionally, the species inhabits the Cerrado (latu sensu), allowing it to occupy a wide range of ecological niches across the central Brazilian landscapes, from open grasslands to more complex shrubby environments.

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campo Limpo, Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (lato sensu)

Morphology

The morphology of Stylosanthes angustifolia is characterized by a versatile growth habit, primarily functioning as a woody subshrub. It exhibits a self-supporting climbing mechanism rather than being an obligatory or facultative climber, allowing it to maintain its structure within its habitat. In terms of its ecological positioning, the plant is strictly terrestrial and does not function as an epiphyte. It maintains an independent biological status, categorized as an independent organism rather than a parasite. While its growth form can be described as a shrub, its specific morphological classification as a subshrub highlights its woody nature, distinguishing it from purely herbaceous species.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Stylosanthes angustifolia is characterized by a metabolic framework centered on the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and resource utilization strategies. As a C3 plant, the initial fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide occurs via the enzyme RuBisCO, leading to the direct formation of a three-carbon compound, 3-phosphoglycerate, within the mesophyll cells. This metabolic route implies that the plant relies on efficient stomatal conductance to balance CO2 uptake with transpirational water loss, making its physiological performance highly sensitive to ambient humidity and soil moisture availability. The energy conversion efficiency and growth rates of Stylosanthes angustifolia are thus intrinsically linked to the temperature-dependent kinetics of the Calvin cycle and the potential for photorespiration, which serves as a critical physiological regulator during periods of environmental stress.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Stylosanthes angustifolia is centered on the production of minute seeds that facilitate its dispersal and establishment. The reproductive output of this species is characterized by highly consistent seed dimensions, with a recorded seed mass mean of 0.00103 g. This uniformity is reflected in the extreme stability of its seed weight, as both the maximum and minimum observed seed mass values are identical at 0.00103 g. Such minimal seed mass suggests an evolutionary strategy focused on high-frequency production of lightweight propagules, which likely aids in efficient distribution within its ecological niche.

Seed mass mean:

0.00103 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Stylosanthes angustifolia has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ABSCISIC ACID, Jasmonic acid, Stachyose, daidzein, genistein.

ABSCISIC ACID

1. GigaScience

Jasmonic acid

1. GigaScience

Stachyose

1. GigaScience

daidzein

1. GigaScience

genistein

1. GigaScience

Conditions

Stylosanthes angustifolia has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include drought.

Drought

1. GigaScience