silver greywood

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• silver greywood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Chuncoa brasiliensis
• Myrobalanus cambessedesii
• Myrobalanus glabrescens

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 Myrtales, it is classified under the family Combretaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Terminalia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several key regions in South America. In the western part of the continent, its distribution includes the country of Bolivia. Within Brazil, it is extensively found across the North and Northeast regions. Furthermore, the species extends its reach into the West-Central areas of the nation. Finally, its geographical range also encompasses the Southeast portion of Brazil.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Terminalia glabrescens is characterized by its adaptability to diverse tropical environments, primarily inhabiting high forests (bosque alto) and cerrado ecosystems. This species thrives across a significant altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 1000 m AMSL. Its presence in both dense forest structures and the more open, savanna-like conditions of the cerrado indicates a versatile ecological niche capable of sustaining itself in varying degrees of canopy cover and moisture availability within these specific tropical biomes.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Bosque alto, cerrado

Life history

The life history of Terminalia glabrescens is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the individual to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural strategy that supports its development into a substantial tree. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage periodically, which is often a physiological adaptation to seasonal environmental shifts. Through its life history, it maintains a consistent phanerophyte life form, ensuring its survival and growth within its ecological niche over many years.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Terminalia glabrescens is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that is entirely self-supporting, rather than acting as a climber, vine, or liana. It is an independent organism that does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. The plant reaches a significant stature, with a mean height of approximately 12 meters and the capacity to reach a maximum height of up to 15 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

12 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Terminalia glabrescens is characterized by specific structural and metabolic properties, notably regarding its biomass composition and nutrient acquisition strategies. The plant exhibits a highly consistent stem specific density (SSD), with recorded values showing no variance across minimum, mean, and maximum measurements, all fixed at 770 mg/cm³. This uniform density indicates a stable cellular arrangement and wood structure within the stem tissue. In terms of its metabolic interaction with the soil environment, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil rather than establishing symbiotic relationships for atmospheric nitrogen fixation.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Stem specific density (SSD) min:

770 mg/cm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Terminalia glabrescens has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include polyphenols.

polyphenols

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Conditions

Terminalia glabrescens has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis.

Atherosclerosis

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Rheumatoid arthritis

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Preparations

Terminalia glabrescens has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts.

Extracts

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM