Bowdichia virgilioides

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sebipira virgilioides
• Bowdichia virgilioides var. glabrata
• Bowdichia virgilioides var. tomentosa
• Bowdichia virgilioides f. villosa
• Sebipira major
• Sebipira ferruginea
• Bowdichia parvifolia
• Bowdichia pubescens
• Bowdichia kuhlmannii
• Bowdichia major
• Bowdichia major var. fruticosa
• Bowdichia brevipes
• Bowdichia densiflora
• Bowdichia ferruginea
• Bowdichia floribunda
• Bowdichia virgilioides var. ferruginea
• Bowdichia virgilioides f. ferruginea
• Bowdichia virgilioides f. major
• Bowdichia virgilioides var. pubescens
• Bowdichia sebipira

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Bowdichia virgilioides, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, falling within the order Fabales. Finally, it is a member of the family Fabaceae and the genus Bowdichia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning several regions of the Americas. In Central America, its presence is specifically documented within the borders of Costa Rica. Moving into Northern South America, it can be found inhabiting the territories of Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela. Furthermore, the species extends its reach into Western South America, where it is located in Bolivia. Together, these locations highlight the diverse tropical environments where the species thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bowdichia virgilioides is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse array of Brazilian biomes and soil types, including Carrasco, Cerrado (latu sensu), Floresta Ciliar or Galeria, Floresta Estacional Perenifólia, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, and Restinga. This adaptability allows the species to occupy varied environmental niches, from riparian corridors to coastal restingas and seasonal forests. Its vertical distribution is relatively broad, occurring within an elevational range that begins at 90 m AMSL and reaches a maximum of 1120 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1120 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

90 m AMSL

Habitat :

Carrasco, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Perenifólia, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Restinga

Life history

The life history of Bocconia virgilioides is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived species, it establishes a stable presence within its ecological niche, often utilizing its robust root systems to support continued growth and reproduction over many years. This perennial nature enables the plant to withstand seasonal variations and re-emerge or continue its vegetative and reproductive cycles periodically, rather than completing its life cycle within a single year or two.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Bowdichia virgilioides is characterized by its robust growth form, which can manifest as both a shrub and a tree. It is a woody plant that reaches a maximum height of 30 meters, with a mean height typically around 20 meters. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior and is classified as an independent organism rather than a parasite. In terms of its structural habit, the plant is self-supporting, functioning as a self-supporting growth form rather than as a liana or a vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bowdichia virgilioides is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits a mean leaf size of 76.189 cm², contributing to a specific leaf area (SLA) with a mean value of 145.893 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf mass distribution and light interception strategies. Structural density is evidenced by a stem specific density (SSD) averaging 910 mg/cm³. Furthermore, the species functions as a nitrogen fixer, a critical physiological trait that enables it to enhance soil fertility and support its own nutritional requirements through biological nitrogen fixation.

Leaf size mean:

76.189 cm²

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

145.893 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

910 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bowdichia virgilioides is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. This insect-mediated process ensures the successful fertilization necessary for seed development. The resulting seeds exhibit specific morphological characteristics regarding their weight, with a recorded minimum seed mass of 0.02383 g and a maximum seed mass of 0.02972 g. On average, the seed mass for this species is approximately 0.026775 g, a metric that reflects the energetic investment the plant places into its reproductive offspring to ensure successful germination and establishment.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.02972 g

Seed mass mean:

0.026775 g

Seed mass min:

0.02383 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Bowdichia virgilioides has 2 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, stem.

Root

1. Fitoterapia
2. Journal of intercultural ethnopharmacology

Stem

1. Natural product letters
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Bowdichia virgilioides has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Lupeol, Isoquercetin, Lupeol acetate, Ormosanine, STIGMASTEROL.

Lupeol

1. Natural product letters
2. Life (Basel, Switzerland)

Isoquercetin

1. Life (Basel, Switzerland)

Lupeol acetate

1. Natural product letters

Ormosanine

1. Life (Basel, Switzerland)

STIGMASTEROL

1. Natural product letters

Sitosterol

1. Natural product letters

betulinic acid

1. Dr. Duke

isocordoin

1. Life (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Bowdichia virgilioides has 19 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Anticarcinomic.

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiedemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antihyperglycemic

1. Journal of intercultural ethnopharmacology

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antileukemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antimalarial

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Bowdichia virgilioides has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include hyperglycemia, malaria.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations