Cheirodendron platyphyllum subsp. platyphyllum is a tree species that typically grows to a height of 2 to 10 meters and features secretory canals. Its leaves are compound (palmate) and opposite, with usually three leaflets, occasionally one, which are caducous, broadly ovate to depressed-ovate or sub-reniform, measuring 3.5-7(-9) cm in length and up to nearly twice as wide. The apex is acuminate-mucronate, and the base ranges from truncate to broadly obtuse, rarely sub-cordate. The blades are coriaceous, chartaceous when dry, with a midvein, margins, petiolule (a stalk of a compound leaflet), and petiole often tinged purple. The petiolule is usually laterally compressed, and the margins are either entire or remotely serrulate. Veins are raised on the upper surface in dried material. The petioles are (5–)7–12 cm long and sheath the stem at the base, with petiolules measuring 2.5–5 cm in length. The flowers form in terminal, erect, oppositely branched panicles of umbellules with inflorescences up to 15 cm long. Bracts are minute and sub-connate, forming an involucel below the umbellule and a pseudo-calyx below each flower. The pedicels are 3–6 mm long. The flowers are bisexual (perfect) and functionally staminate, as the plant is andromonoecious (having hermaphrodite and male flowers on the same plant). The calyx has five short, basally connate teeth, and the corolla consists of 5(6) petals, with dark purple buds that mature to purple externally and greenish internally. The stamens are usually as many as the petals, alternate with them, and inserted at the edge of the epigynous nectary disk. The ovary is inferior, (4)5-carpellate, with carpels connate and styles (4)5, 1–1.5 mm long, connate into a blunt, cylindrical stylopodium surmounted by circular stigmas. The fruit is a drupe, green when immature and ripening to dark purple, with a fleshy exocarp. The fruit is globose or laterally compressed and orbicular or oblate to ovoid or obovoid, measuring 3–7.5 mm long. The pyrenes are cartilaginous and laterally compressed, with one seed per pyrene and a small embryo. It is exclusively found in mesic to wet forests between 700-1,300 meters.
Bean-shaped (Reniform): Resembling the shape of a kidney or bean.
Square or Oblong: Angular shape with all sides more or less equal or longer than wide.
Triangular: Three-sided shape, broadest below the middle.
Elliptic: Rounded at both ends. shaped like an ellipse or oval.
Ovate or Obovate: egg-shaped, broader at one end.
Linear: Extremely long and narrow, with sides usually parallel.
Round: Appears circular, with length and width roughly the same.
Cardioid (Heart-Shaped): One edge has a prominent double curve into two lobes.
Cylindrical: A cylinder with parallel sides and a circular cross-section.
Discoid: Resembling a disc or plate with two relatively flat surfaces.
Fusiform: Spindle-shaped, tapering at both ends.
Globose: Spherical.
Lenticular: Resembling a lens with two convex surfaces.
Ovoid: Egg-shaped.
Plano-convex: Having a flat ventral (planar) surface and a curved dorsal (convex) surface.
Polygonal: Having more than three flat faces meeting at angles.
Sectoroid: Resembling a segment of an orange with two relatively flat faces and one curved face.
Subglobose/ellipsoid: Inflated shape but less than spherical.
Trigonous: Having three faces that meet at a distinct angle; triangular in cross-section.
Endangered species (E) are species that are so rare they’re in danger of becoming extinct.
Threatened species (T) are species that are likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of their range.
Species of Concern (SOC) are species about which there are some concerns regarding status and threats, but insufficient information is available to list the species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Plant Extinction Prevention (PEP) is a state status for rare plants that focuses its efforts on species that have fewer than 50 remaining wild individuals.
Orthodox seeds (desiccation-tolerant): can be dried to an internal seed moisture of less than 12% water and stored at freezing temperatures.
Intermediate seeds (temperature-sensitive) tend to age faster than orthodox seeds and may have only a 5-year lifespan when stored at -20°C. They are recommended for storage at 5°C.
Recalcitrant seeds (desiccation-sensitive): cannot be stored in a conventional freezer as they cannot survive after drying and/or freezing at -20°C. They are recommended for cryopreservation storage.