Xylopia amazonica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant is found across several distinct regions within the South American continent. In Northern South America, its presence is documented in both Suriname and Venezuela. Its range extends into Western South America, specifically within the territory of Colombia. Additionally, the species can be located in the northern parts of Brazil. Together, these locations define the natural geographical distribution of Xylopia amazonica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Xylopia amazonica is characterized by its occurrence within specific terrestrial ecosystems, primarily inhabiting the Floresta de Terra Firme and the Savaana Amazônica. This species thrives across a notable altitudinal gradient, occupying a vertical range that begins at elevations of 100 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 800 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Terra Firme, Savana Amazônica

Life history

The life history of Xylopia amazonica is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain a long-term presence within its tropical ecosystem. As an evergreen plant, it does not undergo a seasonal shedding of foliage, ensuring that it retains its photosynthetic capacity and lush canopy throughout the year. This continuous foliage retention, combined with its long-lived perennial nature, enables the species to establish stable structural roles within its habitat over many years.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Xylopia amazonica is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, reaching a significant mean height of 20 m, with a maximum potential height also recorded at 20 m. As a self-supporting plant, it does not exhibit climbing habits such as lianas or vines, nor does it function as an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. The species is an independent organism, showing no parasitic tendencies, and is categorized by its solid, woody structure.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Xylopia amazonica is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy among many tropical woody species that involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide via the Calvin cycle without the specialized adaptations found in C4 or CAM plants. In terms of nutrient acquisition, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrates and ammonium from the soil rather than establishing symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Xylopia amazonica is characterized by the development of fruits that exhibit a fleshy texture, serving as a critical component in its life cycle and dispersal mechanism. Within these fruits, the seeds are produced with a highly consistent morphology, as evidenced by a uniform seed volume. Specifically, the seed volume remains constant at a mean, minimum, and maximum value of 74 mm³, indicating a standardized reproductive output for this species. This precise volumetric measurement suggests a stabilized evolutionary strategy for seed size within its natural habitat.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed volume max:

74 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Xylopia amazonica 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Malaria journal

Preparations

Xylopia amazonica has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include branch ethanol extracts, leaf chloroform and branch ethanol extracts.

Branch ethanol extracts

1. Malaria journal

Leaf chloroform and branch ethanol extracts

1. Malaria journal