Anacardium humile

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Anacardium humile var. subacutum
• Anacardium mediterraneum
• Anacardium subterraneum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Sapindales and the family Anacardiaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Anacardium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found across the diverse landscapes of Western South America, with significant populations located in Bolivia. Within Brazil, its presence is widespread, stretching across the vast territories of the North region. It is also widely distributed throughout the Northeast of Brazil, adapting to various local climates. Furthermore, the species can be found in the Southeast region of the country. Finally, its geographical reach extends into the West-Central areas of Brazil, completing its extensive regional footprint.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Anacardium humile is characterized by its presence in anthropogenic areas and within the Cerrado (latu sensu) biome. This species occupies a broad elevational gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 500 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Cerrado (lato sensu)

Life history

The life history of Anacardium humile is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. Throughout its lifespan, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and present year-round without the need for a seasonal shedding period.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Anacardium humile is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, typically reaching an average height of 1.2 m. As a terrestrial organism, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte in any form. The plant is strictly self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, and it maintains an independent life cycle, functioning as a non-parasitic species.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

1.2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Anacardium humile is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency within its native ecological niche. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic interactions, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized root nodules or symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Anacardium humile is characterized by the development of specialized fruit structures that facilitate seed dispersal and protection. The fruit exhibits a distinct morphological profile, categorized by its fleshy texture, which serves as a primary characteristic during its maturation process. Within these fleshy fruits, the seeds are produced with a highly consistent and uniform size profile. Quantitative analysis of the seeds reveals a precise volume, with a mean seed volume of 2600 mm³. This measurement is strictly uniform across the species' reproductive output, as both the minimum and maximum recorded seed volumes are fixed at 2600 mm³, ensuring a standardized reproductive investment in each individual seed.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed volume max:

2600 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Anacardium humile has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Gallic acid, CATECHIN, kaempferol, luteolin, quercetin.

Gallic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. International journal of biological macromolecules

CATECHIN

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

kaempferol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

luteolin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

quercetin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Anacardium humile has 4 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antiglycation, Antioxidant, Expectorant.

Antidiabetic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiglycation

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Expectorant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Anacardium humile has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Snakebite envenoming, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, blood glucose, cholesterol.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations