pinwheel-flower

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• pinwheel-flower
• pinwheel-jessamine

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Peschiera australis
• Peschiera australis var. hilariana
• Peschiera catharinensis
• Peschiera hilariana
• Tabernaemontana affinis var. lanceolata
• Tabernaemontana hilariana
• Peschiera albidiflora
• Peschiera acuminata
• Tabernaemontana hybrida
• Tabernaemontana affinis
• Peschiera affinis
• Tabernaemontana australis
• Tabernaemontana albiflora
• Tabernaemontana acuminata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is placed in the order Gentianaales and the family Apocynaceae. It is further identified by the genus Tabernaemontana, specifically as the species Tabernaemontana catharinensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions of South America. In the western part of the continent, it can be found growing in Bolivia. Its presence is also extensively documented throughout various parts of Brazil. Specifically, it inhabits the West-Central and Northeast regions of the Brazilian territory. Furthermore, the species extends its reach into both the Southeast and South regions of Brazil.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Tabernaemontana catharinensis is characterized by its adaptability to diverse landscape types, ranging from disturbed anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) to more natural formations such as the Cerrado (latu sensu) and Seasonal Semi-deciduous Forests (Floresta Estacional Semidecidual). This species occupies a broad altitudinal gradient, thriving in environments spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 625 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

625 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Estacional Semidecidual

Life history

The life history of Tabernaemontana catharinensis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habits and ecological positioning, it exhibits characteristics of both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its buds well above the ground, typically developing into a woody shrub or small tree, while its nanophanerophytic traits reflect its ability to maintain small, woody stems close to the soil surface during specific developmental stages or environmental conditions.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Tabernaemontana catharinensis is characterized by a woody growth habit that can manifest as either a shrub or a tree. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it remains an independent organism rather than a parasite. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, lacking any epiphytic or aquatic tendencies. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant vertical growth, with an average plant height of approximately 5 m, though it can reach a maximum height of up to 9 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

9 m

Plant height mean:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Tabernaemontana catharinensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in its native environment. In terms of its structural composition, the plant exhibits a highly consistent stem specific density (SSD), with a mean value of 370 mg/cm³, a minimum value of 370 mg/cm³, and a maximum value of 370 mg/cm³, indicating a uniform wood density throughout its development. Additionally, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on external soil nutrient availability rather than symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria to meet its nitrogen requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) min:

370 mg/cm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Tabernaemontana catharinensis 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 root.

Root

1. Planta medica

Chemicals

Tabernaemontana catharinensis has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CORONARIDINE, Sterols, Terpenes, Voacangine, heyneanine.

CORONARIDINE

1. Genetics and molecular biology

Sterols

1. Planta medica

Terpenes

1. Planta medica

Voacangine

1. Genetics and molecular biology

heyneanine

1. Genetics and molecular biology

Medicinal Uses

Tabernaemontana catharinensis has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer's disease, Cancer, infections, injuries, neurological disorders.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations