Yopo

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• cohoba
• cohoba-tree
• cohoba tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Niopa peregrina
• Piptadenia peregrina
• Acacia peregrina
• Mimosa niopo
• Inga niopo
• Mimosa acacioides
• Acacia trichophylloides
• Acacia angustiloba
• Piptadenia niopo
• Acacia niopo

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. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae. It is further identified by the genus Anadenanthera, specifically as the species Anadenanthera peregrina.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide-ranging presence across several distinct island territories. Within the Middle Atlantic Ocean, it can be found growing on the remote island of St. Helena. Its distribution extends significantly into the Caribbean region, where it is established in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Furthermore, the species is documented throughout the Leeward Islands. Finally, its geographical reach includes the territory of Puerto Rico.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Anadenanthera peregrina is characterized by its presence within the Cerrado biome, where it thrives in specific environmental conditions. This species is distributed across a wide altitudinal gradient, occupying habitats ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 770 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

770 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado

Life history

The life history of Anadenanthera peregrina is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to establish long-term presence within its ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. Throughout its development, the plant exhibits a deciduous growth pattern, meaning it undergoes a seasonal shedding of its foliage, typically in response to environmental stressors or seasonal shifts in moisture and temperature. This cyclical process of leaf senescence and regrowth is a defining feature of its biological rhythm, enabling the plant to manage its resources effectively over its extended lifespan.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Anadenanthera peregrina is characterized by its significant stature and robust structural development. This woody species exhibits a growth form that can transition between a shrub and a tree, with a substantial plant height that reaches a mean and maximum of approximately 25 meters. It functions as a self-supporting plant, lacking the climbing habits of vines or lianas, and is classified as an independent organism rather than a parasite. In terms of its ecological niche and habit, the plant is strictly terrestrial, neither acting as an epiphyte nor occupying aquatic or semiaquatic environments.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Anadenanthera peregrina is characterized by a specialized metabolic framework designed for efficient growth in tropical environments. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle, a mechanism typical of many woody leguminous species. Furthermore, Anadenanthera peregrina functions as a nitrogen fixer; through a symbiotic relationship with rhizobial bacteria located within its root nodules, it possesses the ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, thereby enhancing its nutrient uptake and supporting its development in nitrogen-limited soils.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Anadenanthera peregrina is driven by biotic pollination syndromes, ensuring the genetic transfer necessary for its lifecycle. The process is primarily facilitated through biotic mechanisms, where living organisms serve as the essential vectors for pollen movement. Specifically, the plant exhibits a pollination syndrome involving insects, which act as the primary agents in the reproductive cycle. Within this insect-mediated framework, bees play a specialized and crucial role, acting as key pollinators that visit the flowers to facilitate fertilization. This reliance on biological vectors, particularly the interaction with bees and various other insects, underscores the plant's dependence on specific animal interactions to achieve successful pollination and subsequent seed production.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Anadenanthera peregrina has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem.

Stem

1. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Chemicals

Anadenanthera peregrina has 19 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine, 5-Methoxy-N-methyltryptamine, Bufotenine, Bufotenine oxide, CATECHIN.

5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine

1. Dr. Duke

5-Methoxy-N-methyltryptamine

1. Dr. Duke

Bufotenine

1. Dr. Duke

Bufotenine oxide

1. Dr. Duke

CATECHIN

1. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Cardiac Glycosides

1. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Condensed Tannins

1. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Coumarins

1. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Epicatechin

1. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Flavonoids

1. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Activities

Anadenanthera peregrina has 40 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Allelochemic, Allergenic, Antialzheimeran?, Antibacterial.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antialzheimeran?

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Anticancer (Breast)

1. Dr. Duke

Anticholinesterase

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antigonadotropic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Anadenanthera peregrina has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus.

Most Reported Uses