Vismia baccifera

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Caopia baccifera
• Hypericum bacciferum

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 within the class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales, specifically within the family Hypericaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Vismia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical presence across various regions of Mexico and Central America. In Mexico, its distribution spans from the central territories to the Gulf coast. It is also found throughout the southwestern and southeastern portions of the country. Moving further south, the species extends its range into Central America. Specifically, its habitat includes the nation of Belize.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Vismia baccifera is characterized by its broad environmental adaptability, allowing it to colonize a diverse array of habitats across a significant altitudinal gradient. This species exhibits a wide elevational range, spanning from sea level at 0 m AMSL up to high-altitude reaches of 2880 m AMSL. This vast vertical distribution suggests a high degree of ecological plasticity, enabling the plant to thrive in both lowland tropical environments and more temperate, montane ecosystems. Such a wide range indicates its ability to tolerate varying temperature regimes, atmospheric pressures, and moisture levels, making it a resilient component of the forest structures it inhabits across different topographical layers.

Elevational range max:

2880 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Vismia baccifera is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many successive growing seasons. As a long-lived woody plant, its developmental trajectory involves an initial establishment phase followed by sustained vegetative growth and periodic reproductive cycles. Unlike annual or biennial species that complete their life cycles within a single or dual season, this perennial plant invests significant energy into structural permanence, enabling it to adapt to long-term ecological shifts and maintain a stable presence within its native habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Vismia baccifera is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a self-supporting tree. It is a terrestrial plant that functions independently, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the species reaches a mean height of approximately 7 m, though it can attain a maximum height of up to 15 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

7 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Vismia baccifera is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy for carbon fixation in many tropical woody species. Regarding its leaf tissue composition, the plant exhibits a consistent leaf dry matter content (LDMC) with a mean, minimum, and maximum value of 356.3 mg/g, indicating a uniform structural density within its foliage. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil rather than symbiotic nitrogen fixation processes.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

356.3 mg/g

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Vismia baccifera is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its seeds, which play a critical role in its dispersal and establishment. The seeds exhibit a consistent volume, with both the minimum and maximum measurements, as well as the mean volume, recorded at exactly 0.42 mm³. In terms of longitudinal dimensions, the seed length shows greater variability, ranging from a minimum of 1 mm to a maximum of 6 mm. These precise physical parameters define the reproductive output of the species, influencing how the seeds interact with their environment during the germination process.

Seed length max:

6 mm

Seed length min:

1 mm

Seed volume max:

0.42 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Vismia baccifera has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Stem

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Chemicals

Vismia baccifera has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CATECHIN, Deacetylvismione A, Epicatechin, FERRUGININ C, Harunganin.

CATECHIN

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Deacetylvismione A

1. Journal of natural products

Epicatechin

1. International journal of molecular sciences

FERRUGININ C

1. Journal of natural products

Harunganin

1. Journal of natural products

VISMIONE B

1. Journal of natural products

Vismiaquinone

1. Journal of natural products

Vismin

1. Journal of natural products

bivismiaquinone

1. Journal of natural products

deacetylvismione H

1. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Vismia baccifera has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include lung cancer.

Lung cancer

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Vismia baccifera has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous infusions, methanolic extracts.

Aqueous infusions

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Methanolic extracts

1. Journal of natural products