Andira surinamensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Vouacapoua surinamensis
• Geoffroea surinamensis
• Andira retusa var. oblonga
• Andira retusa var. paraguariensis
• Geoffroea pubescens
• Andira retusa var. surinamensis
• Andira surinamensis var. ovatifoliolata

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is placed in the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Its specific taxonomic identification is within the genus Andira, specifically the species Andira surinamensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern concentrated within the Caribbean and northern regions of South America. It can be found growing in the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago within the Caribbean. Moving to the mainland, its range extends across several countries in northern South America. Specifically, it is located in the territories of Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. Finally, its geographical presence reaches further west into Venezuela.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Andira surinamensis is characterized by its adaptability across a diverse range of Brazilian biomes, including the Caatinga (stricto sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, and Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial). This wide distribution allows the species to inhabit both seasonally dry environments and humid rainforest ecosystems. Regarding its topographical preferences, the species is typically found within a specific altitudinal belt, occupying an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 200 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 220 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

220 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Andira surinamensis is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain a stable presence within its ecosystem over many years. Throughout its extended lifespan, the plant exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, retaining its foliage consistently rather than shedding it seasonally. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and continuous greenery enables the plant to maintain active photosynthetic processes and structural stability across various environmental conditions.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Andira surinamensis is characterized by its stature as a large, woody tree that reaches a mean height of approximately 15 m, though it can attain a maximum height of up to 40 m. As an independent species, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior and functions as a self-supporting growth form rather than a liana or vine. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, lacking any aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies. Its structural development is defined by a robust, woody composition typical of arborescent species.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

40 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Andira surinameensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells. Additionally, the plant functions as a nitrogen fixer, possessing the biological capability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, thereby enhancing its nutrient uptake and supporting growth in diverse soil environments.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Andira surinameensis is characterized by a complex dispersal strategy that utilizes multiple mechanisms to ensure the spread of its progeny across diverse habitats. The plant primarily exhibits a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to transport its seeds, although its reproductive success is supported by a combination of dispersal modes. This multi-modal approach includes anemochorous elements through wind movement, hydrochorous capabilities for transport via water bodies, and autochorous processes where seeds are released near the parent plant. Furthermore, the species demonstrates an unspecialized dispersal strategy, allowing it to exploit various environmental vectors to optimize the colonization of new territories.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Andira surinamensis has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Prunetin.

Prunetin

1. Drug metabolism and bioanalysis letters

Conditions

Andira surinamensis has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancers, gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, ovarian cancer, urinary bladder cancer.

Cancers

1. Drug metabolism and bioanalysis letters

Gastric cancer

1. Drug metabolism and bioanalysis letters

Hepatocellular carcinoma

1. Drug metabolism and bioanalysis letters

Ovarian cancer

1. Drug metabolism and bioanalysis letters

Urinary bladder cancer

1. Drug metabolism and bioanalysis letters