Zollernia ilicifolia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Zollernia ilicifolia var. clausseniana
• Zollernia houlletiana
• Zollernia latifolia
• Zollernia securidacifolia
• Zollernia ilicifolia var. erostris
• Coquebertia ilicifolia
• Zollernia vogelii

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. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae and the genus Zollernia. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined as Zollernia ilicifolia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits an extensive presence across the diverse landscapes of Brazil. Its geographical range encompasses the lush environments found within Brazil North and Brazil Northeast. Additionally, the species can be located throughout the central territories of Brazil West-Central. It also extends its reach into the various regions of Brazil Southeast. Finally, the distribution of this medicinal plant concludes in the southern reaches of Brazil South.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Zollernia ilicifolia is characterized by its adaptability to diverse Brazilian biomes, specifically occurring within the Cerrado (latu sensu), the Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, and the Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial). This species demonstrates a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying a wide range of elevations that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum of 800 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Zollernia ilicifolia is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. Throughout its existence, it maintains a constant presence in its habitat due to its status as an evergreen, meaning it retains its foliage year-round without undergoing a seasonal shedding period.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Zollernia ilicifolia is characterized by its growth as a woody tree that reaches a mean height of 15 m, with a maximum potential height of up to 20 m. This species maintains a terrestrial lifestyle, functioning as an independent organism rather than an epiphyte or a parasite. Although it possesses the structural capacity to be self-supporting in its climbing habit, it does not function as an obligatory liana or vine, instead maintaining a stable, self-supporting growth form.

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 Zollernia iliicifolia is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning it utilizes the Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide directly through the enzyme RuBisCO without the specialized anatomical adaptations seen in C4 or CAM plants. This metabolic strategy implies that the plant's carbon assimilation is most efficient under moderate temperature and moisture conditions, as it is susceptible to photorespiration when environmental stressors increase. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, lacking the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms; consequently, its physiological development and nitrogen requirements are heavily dependent on the availability of nitrogenous compounds within the soil substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Zollernia ilicifolia 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. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Activities

Zollernia ilicifolia has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antiulcerogenic.

Analgesic

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Antiulcerogenic

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Medicinal Uses

Zollernia ilicifolia has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include analgesic.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations