sacred virola

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• sacred virola

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Palala elongata
• Myristica elongata

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Virola elongata, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Magnoliales, it is further categorized into the family Myristicaceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Virola.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found within the diverse landscapes of Central America. Its documented range includes the lush territories of Honduras. Additionally, it can be located within the tropical regions of Panamá. These specific countries represent the known geographical distribution for the species. Therefore, its presence is concentrated in these two Central American nations.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Virola elongata is characterized by its presence in diverse Amazonian forest ecosystems, where it thrives in habitats such as Floresta Ciliar or Galeria, Floresta de Igapó, Floresta de Terra Firme, and Floresta de Várzea. This adaptability allows the species to occupy varied moisture regimes, ranging from seasonally flooded areas to stable upland forests. Its vertical distribution is notable, spanning a broad elevational range from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum of 1420 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1420 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Igapó, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta de Várzea

Life history

The life history of Virola elongata is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, meaning the plant persists for multiple years throughout its existence. As a long-lived species, it follows a developmental trajectory that extends far beyond a single growing season, establishing a permanent presence within its ecological niche. This perennial nature allows the plant to undergo successive cycles of vegetative growth and reproductive phases, contributing to its long-term survival and stability in its natural habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Virola elongata is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, reaching a mean height of 30 m, with a maximum potential height of 25 m. It functions as a self-supporting growth form, exhibiting no climbing or vining tendencies, and is classified as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its ecological habit, neither occupying aquatic environments nor functioning as an epiphyte.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

25 m

Plant height mean:

30 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Virola elongata is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism in which carbon dioxide is fixed directly through the Calvin cycle without the specialized spatial or temporal adaptations found in C4 or CAM plants. This metabolic process involves the initial carboxylation of CO2 by the enzyme RuBisCO to form a three-carbon compound. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition processes, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, relying instead on the uptake of nitrates or ammonium from the soil substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Virola elongata 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 stem.

Stem

1. Biology

Chemicals

Virola elongata has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids.

Flavonoids

1. Biology

Activities

Virola elongata has 3 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antiulcer, Gastroprotective.

Antioxidant

1. Biology

Antiulcer

1. Biology

Gastroprotective

1. Biology

Medicinal Uses

Virola elongata has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include dermatitis, inflammation, peritonitis.

Most Reported Uses