Trema micrantha

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• capulin
• Nettletree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Trema rugosum
• Sponia micrantha
• Celtis microcarpa
• Trema molle
• Celtis mollis
• Sponia mollis
• Celtis riparia
• Celtis rufescens
• Celtis rugosa
• Trema strigillosum
• Celtis schiedeana
• Celtis macrophylla
• Sponia rugosa
• Celtis lima
• Trema rufescens
• Celtis lima
• Sponia stipellata
• Celtis curiandiuba
• Celtis chichilea
• Sponia schiedeana
• Celtis albicans
• Trema melinonianum
• Sponia rufescens
• Trema macrophyllum
• Trema lima
• Trema canescens
• Trema chichileum
• Trema floridanum
• Trema micranthum var. strigillosum
• Trema orientale var. molle
• Sponia chichilea
• Gerascanthus albus
• Lithocardium album
• Trema schiedeanum
• Trema micranthum var. floridanum
• Trema orientale f. micranthum
• Sponia macrophylla
• Celtis micrantha
• Calyptracordia alba
• Cordia alba
• Sponia canescens
• Trema riparium
• Sponia riparia
• Celtis canescens
• Rhamnus micrantha
• Sponia grisea
• Trema micranthum var. obtusatum
• Trema orientale var. rugosum
• Varronia alba
• Urtica alnifolia
• Sponia lima
• Lithocardium album

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 the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Rosales and is a member of the family Cannabaeaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Trema and the species name micranthum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range that spans across several distinct regions. In the Indo-China territory, it can be found specifically within Myanmar. Its distribution also extends to the Southeastern United States, where it is located in Florida. Within Mexico, the species is spread across the Central, Northeast, and Gulf regions. This wide-reaching presence highlights the diverse habitats the plant is capable of occupying.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Trema micrantum is defined by its broad adaptability to varying altitudes and specific soil conditions. This species exhibits a significant elevational range, occurring from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 3000 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 250 m AMSL. Its primary habitats include high-altitude forests (bosque alto) and pastures situated on saturated soil, indicating a preference for environments with high moisture availability or high water tables.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

250 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Bosque alto, pastures on saturated soil

Life history

The life history of Trema micranthum is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. Throughout its developmental stages, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that it retains its foliage consistently rather than undergoing a seasonal shedding of leaves.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Trema micranthum is characterized by its woody structure and diverse growth forms, manifesting as both a tree and a shrub. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently without parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. The plant exhibits a self-supporting habit rather than acting as a climber, vine, or liana. In terms of vertical dimension, its height is variable, ranging from a minimum of 5 m to a maximum of 25 m, with an average plant height of approximately 12.5225 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

25 m

Plant height mean:

12.5225 m

Plant height min:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Trema micranthum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. Its leaf structural properties are defined by a Leaf Dry Matter Content (LDMC) with a mean value of 292.35 mg/g, exhibiting a range between a minimum of 285.1 mg/g and a maximum of 299.6 mg/g, reflecting the density of organic matter within its leaf tissues. Additionally, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on external soil nitrogen sources for its nutritional requirements.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) max:

299.6 mg/g

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

292.35 mg/g

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) min:

285.1 mg/g

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Trema micrantum is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily driven by insects such as bees. The plant produces fleshy fruits, which facilitates a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, allowing animals to aid in the spreading of its offspring. The seeds themselves exhibit significant morphological variability; they range in length from a minimum of 1 mm to a maximum of 6 mm, with an average length of 1.7 mm. In terms of mass, the seeds are quite light, ranging from a minimum of 0.002 g to a maximum of 0.05 g, with a mean seed mass of approximately 0.0198 g. Additionally, the seed volume is recorded at a consistent 610 mm³, representing both the minimum and maximum observed values as well as the mean for this species.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

6 mm

Seed length mean:

1.7 mm

Seed length min:

1 mm

Seed mass max:

0.05 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0198244443333333 g

Seed mass min:

0.002 g

Seed volume max:

610 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Trema micranthum has 3 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 fruit, leaf, stem.

Fruit

1. Scientific reports

Leaf

1. Scientific reports

Stem

1. Scientific reports

Chemicals

Trema micranthum has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CBD, CBDA, Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), Cannabinoids, THC.

CBD

1. Scientific reports

CBDA

1. Scientific reports

Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA)

1. Scientific reports

Cannabinoids

1. Scientific reports

THC

1. Scientific reports

THCA-A

1. Scientific reports

Preparations

Trema micranthum has 4 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Extracts from fruits, Extracts from inflorescences, Extracts from leaves, Extracts from stems.

Extracts from fruits

1. Scientific reports

Extracts from inflorescences

1. Scientific reports

Extracts from leaves

1. Scientific reports

Extracts from stems

1. Scientific reports