No images found for this plant ID: 27957.
Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "27957" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.
Mappia: A Glimpse into a Tropical American Genus
Mappia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Icacinaceae. All known species within this genus are native to tropical America.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Mappia Jacq.
- Family: Icacinaceae
Distribution and Habitat
- Mappia species are found in tropical America.
- Specific locations include Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Panama, and Puerto Rico (for Mappia racemosa).
Species Overview
- Currently, The Plant List recognizes 5 accepted species names within the genus Mappia out of 29 scientific plant names of species rank.
- Mappia racemosa is one notable species within the genus.
Ecological Role and Conservation Status
- Cyphostemma mappia has been provisionally assessed as Endangered (EN) according to the IUCN Red List.
- Mappia racemosa has been overexploited for its timber in the West Indies, leading to reduced populations.
Chemical Composition
- Two alkaloids, camptothecin (major) and mappicine (minor), have been isolated from Mappia foetida Miers.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Extracts from Mappia foetida leaves have demonstrated antibacterial activity.
- Mappia foetida leaves extract is also used for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles.
Synonyms and Related Species
- Synonyms for Mappia foetida include: Nothapodytes foetida (Wt.) Sleumer and Mappia foetida (Wight) Miers.
- Synonyms for other Mappia species include: Mappia cambodiana Pierre, and Mappia championiana Miers.
Further Information
- Additional information can be found at www.mapress.com/phytotaxa/, specifically in the article http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.116.1.1.
- Information may also be available through the Flora of North America Expertise Network and USDA PLANTS.
- GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) offers data on Mappia foetida.