Xylopia discreta
Fruit of Xylopia discreta[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Magnoliids
Order: Magnoliales
Family: Annonaceae
Genus: Xylopia
Species:
X. discreta
Binomial name
Xylopia discreta
Synonyms

Habzelia discreta (L.f.) A.DC.
Unona discreta L.f.
Uvaria unona Forsyth f.
Xylopia salicifolia Kunth

Xylopia discreta is a species of plant in the Annonaceae family. It is native to Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.[3] Carl Linnaeus the Younger, the botanist who first formally described the species using the basionym Unona discreta, named it after its purple, aromatic fruit which set it apart (discretus in Latin) from other members of the family.[4][5][6]

Description

It is a tree reaching 22 meters in height. Its young branches are silky, narrow, and pliable. The lance-shaped, hairless, papery leaves are in two rows, alternate. Its petioles very short. The flower pedicels are clustered in umbels. The fruit are purple and aromatic.[5][7]

Reproductive biology

The pollen of Xylopia discreta is shed as permanent tetrads.[8]

Distribution and habitat

It has been observed growing in forests.[2]

Uses

Bioactive compounds extracted from its leaves and seeds have been reported to have antileishmanial activity in laboratory tests.[7]

References

  1. ^ "Xylopia discreta (L. fil.) Sprague & Hutch". Encyclopedia of Life. Smithsonian Institution, NMNH, Botany. n.d. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) & IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2019). "Xylopia discreta". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T143321886A143321888. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T143321886A143321888.en. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Xylopia discreta (L.f.) Sprague & Hutch". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  4. ^ Stearn, William (2004). Botanical Latin. Portland, Ore. Newton Abbot: Timber Press David & Charles. ISBN 9780881926279.
  5. ^ a b Linné, Carolo (1782). Supplementum Plantarum [Supplement of Plants]. Brunswick: Orphanotropheum. p. 270.
  6. ^ Sprague, T.A.; Hutchinson, J. (1916). "XXVII. African Anonaceae". Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information. 6: 145–161.
  7. ^ a b López, R.; Cuca, L.E.; Delgado, G. (2009). "Antileishmanial and Immunomodulatory Activity of Xylopia discreta". Parasite Immunology. 31 (10): 623–630. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3024.2009.01134.x. PMID 19751474. S2CID 1101423.
  8. ^ Walker, J.W. (1976). "Evolutionary Significance of the Exine in the Pollen of Primitive Angiosperms". In Ferguson, I.K.; Muller, J. (eds.). The Evolutionary Significance of the Exine. London: Academic Press. ISBN 978-0122536502.
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