fleshyflower annona

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• fleshyflower annona

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Annona rodriguesii
• Annona macrocarpa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Annona crassiflora, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Magnoliales. It is further categorized into the family Annonaceae and the genus Annona.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a vast geographical presence across several distinct regions of Brazil. It can be found growing within the North region, spanning significant portions of the tropical landscape. The species also thrives throughout the Northeast and West-Central areas of the country. Furthermore, its distribution extends into the Southeast, showcasing its ability to adapt to diverse climates. Finally, the plant is recorded in the South, completing its wide-ranging coverage across the Brazilian territory.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Annona crassiflora is characterized by its adaptation to the Cerrado (lato sensu) biome, where it thrives within the specific environmental conditions of this tropical savanna ecosystem. This species occupies a broad altitudinal gradient, establishing itself across a diverse topographical range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum elevation of 500 m AMSL. Such a distribution allows the plant to inhabit various niches within the Cerrado, ranging from lowland plains to slightly elevated plateaus, playing a vital role in the structural and biological complexity of its native habitat.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu)

Life history

The life history of Annona crassiflora is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment over many growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive buds are located on elevated branches well above the ground, a structural adaptation that defines its physical growth habit. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, undergoing seasonal leaf shedding which is a key component of its survival strategy and phenological cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Annona crassiflora is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as either a shrub or a tree. As a terrestrial species, it is an independent organism that does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting in its structure, lacking any climbing or vining tendencies. In terms of stature, it reaches a mean height of approximately 6 m, though it has the capacity to attain a maximum height of up to 15 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

6 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Annona crassiflora is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic process common to most tropical woody species where carbon fixation occurs directly via the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells. This pathway dictates the plant's water-use efficiency and carbon assimilation rates in response to varying light and temperature conditions. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms; instead, it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system to meet its nutritional requirements for growth and development.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Annona crassiflora is characterized by the production of fleshy fruits that serve as the primary vessel for seed dispersal. These fruits are categorized by a fleshy consistency, providing a nutrient-rich medium that often attracts dispersers. Within these fruits, the seeds are significant in size and exhibit highly consistent dimensions; specifically, the seed volume remains constant with a minimum, maximum, and mean value of 3100 mm³. This uniformity in seed volume suggests a stabilized reproductive strategy aimed at ensuring consistent seedling vigor upon germination.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed volume max:

3100 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Annona crassiflora has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, seed.

Root

1. Bioresource technology

Seed

1. Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas

Chemicals

Annona crassiflora has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (epi)catechin, CHLOROGENIC ACID, RUTIN, SINAPIC ACID, caffeic acid.

(epi)catechin

1. Bioorganic chemistry

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Bioorganic chemistry

RUTIN

1. Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas

SINAPIC ACID

1. Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas

caffeic acid

1. Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas

kaempferol

1. Bioorganic chemistry

Activities

Annona crassiflora has 7 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticholinesterase, Antimutagenic, Antiproliferative, Antiprotozoal, Astringent.

Anticholinesterase

1. Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas

Antimutagenic

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Antiproliferative

1. Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas

Antiprotozoal

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Astringent

1. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Chemopreventive

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Tonic

1. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Conditions

Annona crassiflora has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Escherichia coli, Leishmania donovani, cancer, fungal infections, snake bites.

Escherichia coli

1. BMC veterinary research

Leishmania donovani

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Cancer

1. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Fungal infections

1. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Snake bites

1. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Tumor cell lines

1. Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas

Venereal diseases

1. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Preparations

Annona crassiflora has 4 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include EE, ethanolic extracts obtained from root bark, ethanolic extracts obtained from root wood, seed extracts.

Ee

1. BMC veterinary research

Ethanolic extracts obtained from root bark

1. Bioresource technology

Ethanolic extracts obtained from root wood

1. Bioresource technology

Seed extracts

1. Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas