tearshrub

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• tearshrub

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Vallesia inedita
• Vallesia punctata
• Rauvolfia glabra
• Vallesia cymbifolia
• Vallesia dichotoma
• Vallesia chiococcoides

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling within the order Gentianales. Finally, its taxonomic lineage concludes with the family Apocynaceae and the genus Vallesia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning across North and South America. In Mexico, its presence is documented throughout the Northeast and the Gulf regions. Additionally, the species can be found in the Northwest and Southwest territories of Mexico. Beyond North America, its range extends into Western South America. Specifically, the plant is known to inhabit the country of Bolivia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Vallesia glabra is defined by a broad altitudinal distribution that allows it to inhabit a diverse array of landscapes. This species exhibits remarkable environmental plasticity, occupying an elevational range that spans from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to high-altitude montane or sub-alpine zones reaching 3000 m AMSL. This extensive vertical gradient suggests that the plant is capable of adapting to varying temperature regimes, atmospheric pressures, and moisture availability across its habitat. By thriving from low-lying coastal or lowland areas to significant elevations, Vallesia glabra occupies multiple ecological niches, facilitating its presence in a wide variety of topographical settings within its geographical range.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Vallesia glabra is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth and survival strategy, it is classified as a nanophanerophyte, reflecting its low-growing stature where the perennating buds are located just above the ground level. Additionally, its developmental classification includes phanerophyte characteristics, which informs its overall vegetative architecture and its ability to sustain itself within its specific ecological niche.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Vallesia glabra is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically categorized as a shrub. It functions as an independent organism, showing no parasitic tendencies, and is classified as a terrestrial plant rather than an aquatic or semiaquatic species. While it possesses a self-supporting structure, it does not exhibit climbing habits such as lianas or vines, nor does it function as an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. This shrubby species can reach a maximum plant height of 6 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6 m

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Valleesia glabra is characterized by specific seed and fruit metrics that define its reproductive output. The plant produces fruits categorized by a dry texture, contrasting with fleshy types. The seeds generated during this process exhibit a highly consistent volume, with both the minimum and maximum recorded values, as well as the mean volume, stabilized at exactly 24 mm³. In terms of mass, the seeds show slight variability, with a minimum mass of 0.0216 g and a maximum mass of 0.02671 g, resulting in an overall mean seed mass of 0.024155 g.

Fruit dryness :

dry

Seed mass max:

0.02671 g

Seed mass mean:

0.024155 g

Seed mass min:

0.0216 g

Seed volume max:

24 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Vallesia glabra has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Vallesine.

Vallesine

1. Biomolecules

Conditions

Vallesia glabra has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include anti-oxidant.

Anti-oxidant

1. Biomolecules