Zeyheria montana

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Spathodea montana
• Jacaranda quinquefolia
• Zeyheria digitalis
• Bignonia digitalis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Lamiales and the family Bignoniaceae. It is specifically categorized under the genus Zeyheria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions of South America. Within the continent, it can be found growing in the country of Bolivia in Western South America. Its presence is also extensively documented throughout various parts of Brazil. Specifically, it inhabits the North, Northeast, Southeast, and West-Central regions of the Brazilian territory. This wide range highlights its ability to adapt to diverse ecological zones across the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Zeyheria montana is characterized by its occurrence within specific high-altitude environmental niches, primarily occupying an elevational range between 800 and 900 m AMSL. This species thrives in diverse Brazilian vegetation types, demonstrating ecological plasticity across various formations including Campo Limpo, Carrasco, and the broader Cerrado (latu sensu) biome. Additionally, it is found within the seasonal semi-deciduous forests (Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual), where it adapts to the distinct moisture and light regimes of these transitional habitats.

Elevational range max:

900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

800 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campo Limpo, Carrasco, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Estacional Semidecidual

Life history

The life history of Zeyheria montana is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons within its natural habitat. In terms of its structural growth patterns and ecological positioning, the species exhibits a dual classification of life forms; it functions as a phanerophyte, possessing aerial shoots that extend above the ground level, while also manifesting traits of a nanophanerophyte, where its woody stems remain relatively short and close to the substrate.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Zeyheria montana is characterized by a woody growth form that primarily manifests as a shrub or a small tree, reaching a maximum plant height of 3 m. This species is a terrestrial plant, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, and functions as an independent organism without parasitic behavior. In terms of its structural habit, it is a self-supporting plant, categorized as neither an obligatory nor a facultative climber, nor a liana or vine. Furthermore, it does not exhibit epiphytic characteristics, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence rather than growing as a holoepiphyte, hemiepiphyte, or any other epiphytic form.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Zeyheria montana is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic strategy where carbon fixation occurs primarily through the enzyme Rubisco during the Calvin cycle. This pathway dictates the plant's gas exchange dynamics and water-use efficiency, as stomata must remain open during daylight hours to facilitate the diffusion of carbon dioxide into the mesophyll cells. Consequently, the plant's physiological performance is closely linked to its ability to manage transpiration rates and maintain internal water potential, as the C3 mechanism is inherently sensitive to photorespiration under conditions of high temperature or limited water availability. This metabolic framework governs its overall energy assimilation, growth patterns, and adaptation to its specific environmental niche.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Zeyheria montana has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3'-hydroxy-5,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone, 6-Hydroxy-5,7-dimethoxyflavone.

3'-hydroxy-5,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

6-Hydroxy-5,7-dimethoxyflavone

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Activities

Zeyheria montana has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antisyphilitic.

Antioxidant

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Antisyphilitic

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Zeyheria montana has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, inflammatory bowel diseases, ulcers.

Most Reported Uses