Apuleia leiocarpa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Apoleya molaris
• Apuleia leiocarpa var. molaris
• Platymiscium ellipticum
• Apuleia molaris
• Apuleia praecox
• Zenkeria dalbergioides
• Zenkeria lundii
• Leptolobium leiocarpum
• Apoleya leiocarpa
• Dalbergia cucullata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Further taxonomic hierarchy places it in the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales. It is a member of the family Fabaceae and is specifically identified under the genus Apuleia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several distinct regions of the South American continent. In Northern South America, its presence is documented within the borders of Venezuela. Moving toward the western part of the continent, it can be found extensively throughout Colombia and Ecuador. The species also occupies significant territories within the western nation of Peru. Finally, its geographical range extends further south into the western region of Bolivia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Apuleia leiocarpa is characterized by its broad adaptability across diverse Brazilian biomes and varied topographical settings. This species thrives in a wide range of habitats, including Anthropic Areas, Caatinga (strictu sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Riparian or Gallery Forests, Terra Firme Forests, Deciduous Seasonal Forests, Semi-deciduous Seasonal Forests, and Ombrophilous (Rainforest) Forests. Its distribution spans a significant altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 1000 m AMSL, allowing it to occupy various ecological niches within these complex forest and savanna systems.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Apuleia leiocarpa is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. Throughout its developmental stages, the plant exhibits a deciduous habit, meaning it undergoes a seasonal shedding of its foliage. This cyclical pattern of leaf senescence and regrowth is a fundamental aspect of its survival strategy, regulating its physiological processes in response to changing environmental conditions.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

Morphologically, Apuleia leiocarpa is characterized as a large, woody tree that exhibits a self-supporting growth form. It is a terrestrial species, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant reaches significant dimensions, with an average height of approximately 30 m and a maximum potential height of up to 35 m. Unlike lianas or vines, it does not require external support, maintaining a robust, upright structure consistent with its arboreal growth habit.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

35 m

Plant height mean:

30 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Apuleia leiocarpa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency under typical environmental conditions. Furthermore, the plant exhibits the biological capacity to function as a nitrogen fixer, a trait that enables it to enhance soil nutrient availability through the assimilation of atmospheric nitrogen, thereby supporting its growth and development in diverse ecological niches.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Apuleia leiocarpa is centered around the production and dispersal of its seeds, which exhibit highly consistent morphological characteristics. The seeds produced by this species demonstrate a uniform size distribution, with a measured seed length that remains constant across observations. Specifically, the seed length maintains a mean value of 7.255 mm, a figure that is mirrored by both the minimum and maximum recorded measurements of 7.255 mm. This lack of variance in seed length suggests a highly stabilized reproductive mechanism regarding the dimensions of its propagules, ensuring that each seed produced falls within this precise 7.255 mm range.

Seed length mean:

7.255 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Apuleia leiocarpa has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Amines, Flavonoids, Steroids, Terpenoids, polyphenols.

Amines

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Flavonoids

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Steroids

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Terpenoids

1. Pharmaceutical biology

polyphenols

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Activities

Apuleia leiocarpa has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic.

Analgesic

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Conditions

Apuleia leiocarpa has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include analgesic.

Analgesic

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Preparations

Apuleia leiocarpa has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 10% infusion (dry plant), 20% (fresh plant).

10% infusion (dry plant)

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

20% (fresh plant)

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz