Yellow-cedar (Palicourea croceoides, Prodr. Pl. Ind. Occid.: 29 (1825))

Family: Rubiaceae

Author: Ham.

Bibliography: Prodr. Pl. Ind. Occid.: 29 (1825)

Year: 1825

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Palicourea

Vegetable: False

Observations: Caribbean to S. Trop. America

Description

Yellow-cedar, scientifically known as Palicourea croceoides, is a notable species within the Rubiaceae family. This plant, first cataloged in the early 19th century, was described by Ham. in the seminal publication “Prodr. Pl. Ind. Occid.,” dating back to 1825.

The Yellow-cedar thrives across a substantial geographical range, extending from the Caribbean to Southern Tropical America. This distribution indicates the plant’s adaptability to a variety of tropical climates and its ecological significance within these regions.

Members of the Rubiaceae family, to which Yellow-cedar belongs, are often recognized for their assorted and vibrant floral displays. Palicourea croceoides is no exception, contributing to the rich biodiversity and aesthetic value of the tropical landscapes it inhabits.

Given its expansive range and distinctive presence, Yellow-cedar serves not only as an important element in its native flora but also as a subject of interest for botanists studying tropical ecosystems and plant diversity.

Common Names

Por: erva-de-rato
Eng: yellow-cedar
En: Yellow-cedar, Palo de cachimbo
Pt: Erva-de-rato

Synonyms

• Uragoga riparia ((Benth.) Kuntze)
• Palicourea crocea var. parviflora (Chodat & Hassl.)
• Palicourea crocea f. heterodoxa (Steyerm.)
• Palicourea radicans (Standl.)
• Psychotria croceoides (Desv.)
• Palicourea aurantiaca (Miq.)
• Palicourea cujabensis (Schltdl.)
• Uragoga subcrocea ((Müll.Arg.) Kuntze)
• Palicourea riparia (Benth.)
• Palicourea martinicensis (Standl.)
• Psychotria subcrocea (Müll.Arg.)
• Palicourea crocea var. riparia ((Benth.) Griseb.)

Distribution

• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Windward Is. (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Mar 30, 2007 by Jean-François Molino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 30, 2007 by Jean-François Molino (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Mar 30, 2007 by Jean-François Molino (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Mar 30, 2007 by Jean-François Molino (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Other

Taken Nov 4, 2008 by AMAP Lab – Guyane 2022 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 4, 2008 by AMAP Lab – Guyane 2022 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 4, 2008 by AMAP Lab – Guyane 2022 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 4, 2008 by AMAP Lab – Guyane 2022 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 4, 2008 by AMAP Lab – Guyane 2022 (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2899117)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:759062-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Palicourea croceoides Ham.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Shrub, Tree

Growth