Xylopia emarginata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Xylopicrum emarginatum
• Xylopia emarginata var. duckei

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Magnoliales and the family Annonaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Xylopia, specifically as the species Xylopia emarginata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of locations across the South American continent. In Northern South America, its presence is documented within the borders of Venezuela. Moving toward the western regions, it can be found in both Colombia and Bolivia. Within Brazil, the species is distributed across the West-Central area. Additionally, its geographical reach extends into the Northeast region of Brazil.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Xylopia emarginata is characterized by its presence across diverse Brazilian ecosystems, including Cerrado (latu sensu), Ciliar Forest or Gallery Forest, Terra Firme Forest, and Varzea Forest. This plant exhibits a specific altitudinal distribution, thriving at elevations ranging from a minimum of 90 m AMSL to a maximum of 600 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

90 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta de Várzea

Life history

The life history of Xylopia emarginata is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem over many years. Throughout its developmental stages, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that it retains its foliage and continues photosynthetic activity regardless of the season.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Xylopia emarginata is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, typically reaching a mean height of 15 m, with the potential to grow up to a maximum height of 20 m. As a self-supporting organism, it does not function as a climber or a liana, maintaining a robust, independent structure. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, neither being aquatic nor semiaquatic, and it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, such as hemi-epiphytism. Furthermore, it is an independent species that does not function as a parasite, relying on its own woody framework for support and growth.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Xylopia emarginata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency within its ecological niche. As a plant utilizing this pathway, it fixes atmospheric carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle, typically favoring environments with moderate temperatures and sufficient moisture. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the surrounding soil to meet its nutritional nitrogen requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Xylopia emarginata has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Caryophyllene oxide, Spathulenol.

Caryophyllene oxide

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Spathulenol

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Xylopia emarginata has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations