fourleaf buchenavia

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• fourleaf buchenavia

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lithocardium tetraphyllum
• Buchenavia tetraphylla
• Gerascanthus tetraphyllus
• Hudsonia arborea
• Cordia tetraphylla
• Buchenavia vaupesana
• Bucida capitata
• Terminalia obovata
• Terminalia capitata
• Pseudolmedia bucidifolia
• Buchenavia ptariensis
• Buchenavia capitata

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 falls under the order Myrtales and the family Combretaceae. It is specifically identified as a member of the genus Terminalia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific range of occurrence across the tropical regions of Central America and the Caribbean. Within the Central American corridor, its presence is documented in both Costa Rica and Panamá. Moving toward the Caribbean islands, the species can be found inhabiting the landscapes of Cuba. Additionally, its distribution extends to the island of Hispaniola, covering both the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Together, these locations define the primary geographical footprint of Terminalia tetraphylla.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Terminalia tetraphylla is characterized by its adaptability to diverse Brazilian biomes, specifically thriving within the Caatinga (strictu sensu), the Cerrado (lato sensu), and Seasonal Semi-deciduous Forests (Floresta Estacional Semidecidual). This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying a wide ecological gradient that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum elevation of 1420 m AMSL. Such a range allows the plant to inhabit various landscape configurations, from lowland semi-arid scrublands to higher-altitude seasonal forest environments.

Elevational range max:

1420 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Estacional Semidecidual

Life history

The life history of Terminalia tetraphylla is characterized by its status as a perennial species, meaning it maintains its biological functions and structural integrity over many years rather than completing a single reproductive cycle within a single season. As a long-lived woody plant, it undergoes a developmental progression starting from seed germination, followed by a period of vegetative establishment where it focuses on building a robust root system and a sturdy trunk. Once it reaches maturity, the plant enters a sustained reproductive phase, contributing to the ecosystem through repeated cycles of flowering and fruiting. This perennial nature allows the species to withstand seasonal environmental fluctuations and invest significant energy into long-term growth and complex architectural development.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Terminalia tetraphyllas is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which is entirely self-supporting and does not function as a climber, liana, or vine. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte, existing as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. The plant typically reaches a mean height of 15 m, though it can attain a maximum height of up to 18 m in optimal growing conditions.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

18 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Terminalia tetraphyllla is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle without the specialized carbon-concentrating mechanisms found in C4 or CAM plants. This metabolic process typically indicates an adaptation to environments where water availability and temperature allow for sufficient stomatal conductance to facilitate gas exchange. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (such as rhizobia) required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds directly from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Terminalia tetraphylla has 1 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of natural products
2. Pharmaceutical biology
3. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Terminalia tetraphylla has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CHLOROFORM, ETHYL ACETATE, Fatty acids, HEXANE, O-Demethylbuchenavianine.

CHLOROFORM

1. Pharmaceutical biology

ETHYL ACETATE

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Fatty acids

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

HEXANE

1. Pharmaceutical biology

O-Demethylbuchenavianine

1. Journal of natural products

Terpenes

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

methanol

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Activities

Terminalia tetraphylla has 2 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.

Antioxidant

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Terminalia tetraphylla has 6 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Buchenavia tetraphylla methanolic extract (BTME), chloroform: BTCE, ethyl acetate: BTEE, hexane: BTHE, methanol: BTME.

Buchenavia tetraphylla methanolic extract (btme)

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Chloroform: btce

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Ethyl acetate: btee

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Hexane: bthe

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Methanol: btme

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Organic solvent extract of leaves

1. Journal of natural products