Early Homalolepis (Homalolepis praecox)
Silhouette: T. Michael Keesey
/ License
Homalolepis praecox: Botanical Profile and Distribution Range
Spanning the seasonally dry forests of Bolivia and Paraguay, Homalolepis praecox grows as a wild deciduous shrub. Botanist Émile Hassler first described the species under the name Simaba praecox before modern researchers relocated it.
This relocation occurred during a major taxonomic revision of South American flora in the year 2018. The species exists exclusively in wild environments and is not currently cultivated for commercial use.
Taxonomy
- ∟ царство Plantae
- ∟ division Tracheophytes
- ∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
- ∟ Angiosperms
- ∟ mesangiosperms
- ∟ eudicots
- ∟ Superrosids
- ∟ rosids
- ∟ malvids
- ∟ order Sapindales
- ∟ family Simaroubaceae (Quassia family)
- ∟ genus Homalolepis (Homalolepis Tree)
- ∟ species Homalolepis praecox (Early Homalolepis)
Morphology
This wild woody species displays several distinct morphological characteristics:
- Growth Habit: It typically develops as a deciduous woody shrub or small tree.
- Leaves: The foliage consists of alternate, pinnately compound leaves with lanceolate leaflets.
- Flowers: Small, greenish-yellow flowers appear in terminal inflorescences.
- Fruit: The plant produces drupaceous fruits containing a single seed.
Its species epithet highlights the tendency to flower early in the season, often before the new leaves emerge.
Interesting facts
Several interesting aspects define this species:
- Precocious Flowering: The scientific name refers to its adaptation of producing flowers before developing leaves.
- Habitat Adaptation: This trait helps the plant maximize pollination efficiency during the dry season.
- Taxonomic Shift: It was moved between genera as part of efforts to restore historical botanical names.
Geography of distribution
- Bolivia
- Paraguay
Sources
- Plants of the World Online (POWO)
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
- World Flora Online (WFO)