Anacardium humile
Anacardium humile · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (25 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
, scientifically known as Anacardium humile, is a rare medicinal plant valued for its unique therapeutic potential. Often found in specific tropical ecosystems, this species is studied for its bioactive compounds. Understanding its traditional uses and chemical properties is essential for exploring new advancements in natural pharmacology and herbal medicine.
- Family
- Anacardiaceae
- Native range
- Southern America
- Parts used
- Not available
- Common names
- Not available
- Scientific synonyms
- Anacardium Humile Var. Subacutum · Anacardium Mediterraneum · 1 more
Names and Synonyms
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Anacardium humileSynonyms
- Anacardium humile var. subacutum
- Anacardium mediterraneum
- Anacardium subterraneum
Regional and Traditional Names
German:
- Zwerg-Cajú
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.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Sapindales |
| Family | Anacardiaceae |
| 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.
| Region | Area |
|---|---|
| Western South America | Bolivia |
| Brazil | Brazil West-Central |
| Brazil | Brazil Northeast |
| Brazil | Brazil Southeast |
| Brazil | Brazil North |
| Brazil | Brazil South |
| Southern South America | Paraguay |
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.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Gallic acid | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CATECHIN | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kaempferol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| luteolin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Gallic acid
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
- International journal of biological macromolecules
CATECHIN
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
kaempferol
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
luteolin
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
quercetin
- 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.
| Activity | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antidiabetic | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiglycation | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Expectorant | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Antidiabetic
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Antiglycation
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Antioxidant
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Expectorant
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Conditions
Anacardium humile has 12 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Snakebite envenoming, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, blood glucose, cholesterol.
| Condition | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Snakebite envenoming | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiarrheal | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Blood glucose | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cholesterol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Dental caries | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Denture stomatitis | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Expectorant | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gastritis | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Myotoxicity | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Snakebite envenoming
- International journal of biological macromolecules
Antidiabetic
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Antidiarrheal
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Blood glucose
- Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
Cholesterol
- Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
Dental caries
- Planta medica
Denture stomatitis
- Planta medica
Expectorant
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Gastritis
- Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
Myotoxicity
- International journal of biological macromolecules
Preparations
Anacardium humile has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Aqueous Extract, methanolic extracts.
| Preparation | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Aqueous extract | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Methanolic extracts | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Aqueous extract
- Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
Methanolic extracts
- Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM