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assa-peixe

Vernonanthura phosphorica (Vell.) H.Rob.

Family: Asteraceae · Genus: Vernonanthura

Brazilian vernonia

Placenta II Low Mulch biomass 🪓 Coppices after cutting
Ingrid P. Lin · CC0 · GBIF

Pioneer shrub-tree of Cerrado and Atlantic Forest, listed by Rebello among anchor species of the accumulation system. Indicator of shallow, dry soils with hardpan (Appendix I). Highly melliferous — white flowers draw bees en masse. Grows fast on exhausted soils, supplies woody pioneer biomass, and prepares ground for succession.

Götsch succession

Götsch stage
Placenta II
Ecological role
Pioneer
Primary stratum
Low
Strata
Low, Medium
Biomass class
Mulch biomass

Environment

Light requirement
Full sun
Water requirement
Low
Drought tolerance
High

Morphology

Mature height
2–6 m
Growth rate
Fast
Lifespan
5–12 years

Biomes & climate

Köppen classes

Where it fits in a guild

Assa-peixe takes the Low stratum in the Placenta II phase of succession — in a guild it shares the line with species from the other strata, each harvesting light at its own height, in its own time.

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Emergent High Medium Low · ≈6 m Ground cover

❓ Frequently asked questions

How tall does assa-peixe grow?

At maturity, assa-peixe reaches 2–6 m tall.

What stage and stratum does assa-peixe occupy in a syntropic system?

In a syntropic system, assa-peixe belongs to the placenta ii stage, occupying the low stratum.

Functions

🌿 Biomass producer 🍯 Melliferous 🐝 Attracts pollinators Medicinal

Propagation

Seed, Cutting

Citations

  1. Rebello, J. F. S. (2018) — Princípios da Agricultura Sintrópica, EcoAgri , p. 18 (gotsch_stage, ecological_role)
  2. Rebello, J. F. S. (2018) — Princípios da Agricultura Sintrópica, EcoAgri , p. 49 (biomes)
  3. Flora Regional — IPÊ: Vernonanthura phosphorica (assa-peixe) (height_min_m, height_max_m, light_need, propagation)

External references

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