Xylopia holtzii

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Xylopia holtzii

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Xylopia neglecta
• Xylopicrum neglectum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Xylopia parviflora, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling under the order Magnoliales. Finally, it is a member of the family Annonaceae within the genus Xylopia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several regions of the South American continent. In Northern South America, it can be found growing within the borders of Venezuela. Its presence extends into Western South America, where it inhabits various landscapes in Colombia and Ecuador. Furthermore, the species is documented throughout the territories of Peru and Bolivia. Together, these locations highlight the plant's significant range across the western and northern parts of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Xylopia parviflora is characterized by its preference for specific forest structures and altitudinal gradients. This species is primarily found inhabiting the Floresta de Terra Firme, where it thrives within stable, non-flooded forest ecosystems. Its distribution is restricted to a specific elevational range, occurring from a minimum altitude of 200 m AMSL up to a maximum elevation of 650 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

650 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Terra Firme

Morphology

The morphology of Xylopia parviflora is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 18 meters. It functions as an independent organism, not exhibiting parasitic behavior, and maintains a terrestrial habit rather than being aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic. As a self-supporting species, it does not possess the climbing mechanisms of a liana or vine, instead relying on its sturdy, woody structure to maintain its stature within its ecosystem.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

18 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Xylopia parviflora is characterized by its reliance on the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism where carbon dioxide is fixed directly into a three-carbon compound during the Calvin cycle. This metabolic process involves the enzyme RuBisCO, which facilitates the carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate, making the plant highly dependent on favorable environmental conditions such as adequate moisture and moderate temperatures to minimize photorespiration. The plant's physiological efficiency is closely tied to its ability to manage gas exchange through its stomata, balancing the intake of carbon dioxide for glucose synthesis against the loss of water vapor through transpiration. This C3 strategy dictates its resource allocation patterns, influencing its growth rates and its capacity to thrive in the specific ecological niches where its metabolic demands for water and light are met.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Xylopia parviflora is characterized by the production of fleshy fruits, a trait that typically aids in seed dispersal through biotic agents. The seeds produced by this species exhibit a highly consistent morphological profile, with a measured seed mass that remains constant at a mean, minimum, and maximum value of 0.15592 g. This uniformity extends to the seed volume, which is strictly measured at 170 mm³ for its minimum, maximum, and mean values. These specific physical dimensions and the fleshy nature of the fruit play a critical role in the plant's reproductive strategy and its ability to propagate within its natural habitat.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed mass mean:

0.15592 g

Seed volume max:

170 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Xylopia parviflora 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 fruit, root.

Fruit

1. Food chemistry

Root

1. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Xylopia parviflora has 31 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoid, (+) N-Methylcorydine, (+)-CORYTUBERINE, (+)-Glaucine, (+)-Magnoflorine.

Flavonoid

1. IBRO neuroscience reports
2. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

(+) N-Methylcorydine

1. Phytochemistry

(+)-CORYTUBERINE

1. Journal of natural medicines

(+)-Glaucine

1. Journal of natural medicines

(+)-Magnoflorine

1. Phytochemistry

(+)-Tembetarine

1. Phytochemistry

(+)-Xanthoplanine

1. Phytochemistry

(-)-Litcubine

1. Phytochemistry

(-)-Oblongine

1. Phytochemistry

(-)-Phellodendrine

1. Phytochemistry

Activities

Xylopia parviflora has 6 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Analgesic, Antimicrobial, Antinociceptive, Chemopreventive.

Antioxidant

1. Nutrients
2. Food chemistry
3. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Analgesic

1. Journal of natural medicines

Antimicrobial

1. Food chemistry

Antinociceptive

1. Journal of natural medicines

Chemopreventive

1. Food chemistry

Cytotoxic

1. Food chemistry

Medicinal Uses

Xylopia parviflora has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer's disease, diabetes complications, formalin test, inflammation, oxidative stress.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations