Swartzia leptopetala

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution across several regions of the South American continent. In Northern South America, its presence is documented within the borders of Venezuela. Moving toward the western portion of the continent, it can also be found in Colombia. Within the vast territory of Brazil, its range is localized to the northern part of the country. Consequently, the geographical footprint of Swartzia leptopepala is concentrated in these specific tropical zones.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Swartzia leptopetala is characterized by its presence in diverse Amazonian wetland and terrestrial ecosystems, specifically inhabiting Campinarana, Floresca de Igapó, Floresta de Terra Firme, and Floresta de Várzea. This species thrives within a specific altitudinal gradient, occurring at elevations ranging from a minimum of 90 m AMSL to a maximum of 300 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

90 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campinarana, Floresta de Igapó, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta de Várzea

Morphology

The morphology of Swartzia leptopepala is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which can reach a maximum plant height of 30 meters. This species functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic lifestyle, and maintains a terrestrial existence rather than being aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic. As a self-supporting plant, it does not exhibit climbing habits such as vines or lianas, nor does it act as an obligatory or facultative climber. Instead, its structural integrity is defined by its woody nature and upright, tree-like habit.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Swartzia leptopepetala is primarily characterized by its metabolic framework, specifically utilizing the C3 photosynthetic pathway for carbon fixation. This process involves the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) by the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells, leading to the immediate production of 3-phosphoglycerate. As a C3 plant, its physiological efficiency is highly dependent on environmental conditions such as light intensity, temperature, and water availability, as the pathway is susceptible to photorespiration when stomata close during periods of moisture stress. The plant's internal resource management and gas exchange mechanisms are intrinsically linked to this C3 cycle, governing its growth rates and biomass accumulation within its native ecological niche.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Swartzia leptopetala 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 fruit.

Fruit

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Swartzia leptopetala has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include fruit extract.

Fruit extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology