Vilca

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Curupay
• Red Angico

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Piptadenia colubrina
• Acacia colubrina
• Mimosa colubrina
• Anadenanthera colubrina var. colubrina

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Anadenanthera colubrina, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Ultimately, it is categorized under the genus Anadenanthera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions in South America. It can be found within the borders of Bolivia in Western South America. In Brazil, its presence is extensively documented across multiple diverse territories. Specifically, it grows throughout the West-Central, Northeast, and Southeast regions of the country. Furthermore, the species is also distributed across the South of Brazil.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Anadenanthera colubrina is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 2000 m AMSL. This species demonstrates significant adaptability to diverse environments, primarily inhabiting high forests (bosque alto) as well as the more open, seasonal landscapes of the cerrado.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Bosque alto, cerrado

Life history

The life history of Anadenanthera colubrina is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the individual to persist across multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated structures, typically growing as a tree or large shrub with its buds protected above the ground level. This species exhibits a deciduous habit, shedding its foliage periodically as part of its seasonal growth cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Anadenanthera colubrina is characterized by its robust and woody structure, exhibiting a growth form that can range from a shrub to a large tree. It is a terrestrial plant that functions independently, lacking any parasitic tendencies. In terms of stature, it is a significant specimen, reaching a mean height of approximately 12 m, though it can attain a maximum height of up to 30 m. While it possesses a woody constitution, its climbing habit is categorized as self-supporting, distinguishing it from obligatory lianas or vines. As a terrestrial organism, it does not exhibit epiphytic qualities such as being a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte, instead maintaining a stable presence within its land-based habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

12 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Anadenanthera colubrina is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits a highly consistent leaf architecture regarding its resource allocation, as evidenced by a Specific Leaf Area (SLA) where the minimum, mean, and maximum values are all recorded at 46 cm²/g, indicating a uniform leaf thickness and density across its canopy. Furthermore, this species possesses the physiological capability to act as a nitrogen fixer, facilitating a symbiotic relationship that allows it to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, thereby enhancing its nutrient uptake and growth potential in various soil environments.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

46 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Anadenanthera colubrina is driven by biotic pollination syndromes, specifically relying on insects and bees to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The resulting seeds exhibit a highly consistent physical profile, characterized by a uniform seed length of 14.049 mm and a consistent seed volume of 160 mm³. While the seed dimensions remain constant, the seed mass shows significant variability, ranging from a minimum of 0.02682 g to a maximum of 0.32 g, with an overall mean seed mass of approximately 0.146305 g.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length mean:

14.049 mm

Seed mass max:

0.32 g

Seed mass mean:

0.146305 g

Seed mass min:

0.02682 g

Seed volume max:

160 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Anadenanthera colubrina has 26 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Bufotenine, Flavonoids, Tannin, 4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID, Alnusenol.

Bufotenine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Journal of the science of food and agriculture

Tannin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID

1. Planta medica

Alnusenol

1. Planta medica

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Planta medica

CINNAMIC ACID

1. Planta medica

LUPENONE

1. Planta medica

Lupeol

1. Planta medica

N,N-DIMETHYLTRYPTAMINE

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Anadenanthera colubrina has 18 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hallucinogenic, Allelopathic, Antiaddictive, Antialzheimeran?, Anticholinesterase.

Hallucinogenic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Allelopathic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiaddictive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antialzheimeran?

1. Dr. Duke

Anticholinesterase

1. Dr. Duke

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antinociceptive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiviral

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aphrodisiac

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Anadenanthera colubrina has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Staphylococcus aureus, emphysema, pulmonary diseases, pulmonary emphysema.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations