Xylopia aromatica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Xylopia xylopioides
• Xylopicrum grandiflorum
• Waria zeylanica
• Xylopia grandiflora
• Habzelia aromatica
• Xylopia cubensis
• Xylopicrum aromaticum
• Unona aromatica
• Coelocline lucida
• Xylopia lucida
• Habzelia cubensis
• Unona cubensis
• Unona xylopioides
• Uvaria aromatica

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Xylopia aromatica, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Magnoliales and the family Annonaceae. Finally, its taxonomic hierarchy concludes with the genus Xylopia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several distinct regions of the Neotropics. In Central America, it can be found growing within the borders of Costa Rica and Honduras. Its presence also extends through the territories of Nicaragua and Panamá. Furthermore, the species reaches into the Caribbean islands, specifically inhabiting Cuba. This diverse range highlights the plant's ability to thrive in various tropical environments across these locations.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Xylopia aromatica is characterized by its adaptability to diverse South American ecosystems, specifically thriving within the Cerrado (latu sensu), Floresta Estacional Decidual, and the Savana Amazônica. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying a wide range of topographical gradients that begin at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extend up to a maximum elevation of 1220 m AMSL. This wide elevational range and its presence across varied biomes indicate a robust ecological plasticity, allowing it to inhabit both seasonally dry forests and transitional savanna landscapes.

Elevational range max:

1220 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Estacional Decidual, Savana Amazônica

Life history

The life history of Xylopia aromatica is characterized by its status as a perennial species, meaning it persists through many growing seasons and maintains its structural integrity over a long lifespan. As a long-lived woody plant, it undergoes a developmental progression from seed germination to maturity, establishing a robust root system and a permanent canopy. Throughout its extensive life cycle, the plant undergoes seasonal cycles of vegetative growth and reproductive phases, where it produces flowers and fruits to ensure the continuation of its lineage. This perennial nature allows the species to invest significant energy into secondary growth and long-term survival within its ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Xylopia aromatica is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, typically reaching a mean height of 10 m, though it can attain a maximum height of up to 15 m. As a terrestrial organism, it grows in non-aquatic environments and functions as an independent species rather than a parasite. The plant is self-supporting in its structure, meaning it does not exhibit climbing habits such as being a liana or a vine, nor does it function as an epiphyte.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Xylopia aromatica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy among woody tropical species that utilizes the Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide under typical environmental conditions. In terms of nutrient acquisition, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, instead relying on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Xylopia aromatica is characterized by the production of fleshy fruits, which serve as a primary medium for seed dispersal. The seeds produced by this species exhibit highly consistent physical dimensions, with a recorded seed volume that remains constant at a mean, maximum, and minimum of 42 mm³. In terms of weight, the seeds are uniform in their mass, maintaining a consistent value across the minimum, maximum, and mean measurements of 0.04104 g. This uniformity in seed size and mass, combined with the fleshy nature of the fruit, suggests a specialized reproductive strategy likely involving specific biotic dispersal agents.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed mass mean:

0.04104 g

Seed volume max:

42 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Xylopia aromatica has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Annomontacin, Annonaceous Acetogenins, Annonacin, Asimicin, GIGANTETROCIN A.

Annomontacin

1. Journal of natural products

Annonaceous Acetogenins

1. Journal of natural products

Annonacin

1. Journal of natural products

Asimicin

1. Journal of natural products

GIGANTETROCIN A

1. Journal of natural products

Gigantetronenin

1. Journal of natural products

venezenin

1. Journal of natural products

xylomatenin

1. Journal of natural products

xylomaticin

1. Journal of natural products

xylopiacin

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Xylopia aromatica has 3 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic, Antiprotozoal, Cytostatic.

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Journal of natural products

Antiprotozoal

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cytostatic

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Medicinal Uses

Xylopia aromatica has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Plasmodium falciparum, colon cancer, leukemia, tumor cell lines.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations