Brosimum acutifolium

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Piratinera acutifolia
• Brosimopsis acutifolia

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 Rosales, it is classified under the family Moraeaee and the genus Brosimum. Specifically, it is identified by the species name Brosimum acuifolium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions of South America. In Northern South America, it can be found inhabiting the territories of French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. Its range also extends into the western portions of the continent. Specifically, the species is documented within the borders of Colombia. Additionally, the plant is present in the western South American nation of Bolivia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Brosimum acuifolium is characterized by its preference for specific forest structures and low-to-mid elevation landscapes. This species thrives within the habitats of Floresta de Terra Firme and Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial), indicating a dependency on stable, non-flooded, and high-moisture rainforest environments. Its altitudinal distribution is relatively narrow, occupying an elevational range that begins at 100 m AMSL and reaches a maximum of 350 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

350 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Brosimum acuifolium is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the individual to persist in its ecosystem for many years. As a long-lived woody species, it follows a developmental trajectory that begins with seedling establishment in the understory, followed by a gradual maturation process as it competes for light within the forest strata. Throughout its extended lifespan, the plant undergoes seasonal cycles of vegetative growth and reproductive phases, maintaining its structural presence and contributing to the forest canopy over multiple years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Brosimum acuifolium is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that is strictly terrestrial in its habitat. It is a self-supporting plant, rather than a climber, liana, or vine, and it functions as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. This species displays significant stature, with a mean plant height of approximately 20 m, though it can reach a maximum height of up to 35 m. As a non-epiphytic, terrestrial tree, it maintains a robust, woody structure suitable for its forest environment.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

35 m

Plant height mean:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Brosimum acuifolium is characterized by its specific metabolic and nutritional strategies within its ecosystem. It utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common mechanism among tropical woody plants where carbon dioxide is fixed directly via the Calvin cycle, making it highly efficient in environments with sufficient moisture and moderate light intensity. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, relying instead on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the surrounding soil to satisfy its nutritional requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Brosimum acuifolium is characterized by a dispersal syndrome that is primarily zoochorous, relying on animals for the movement of its seeds. While the species exhibits a complex ecological strategy that can be categorized under various modes including anemochorous, autochorous, hydrochorous, and unspecialized, its primary evolutionary mechanism for seed distribution is through biotic vectors. This zoochorous nature ensures that seeds are transported away from the parent plant, facilitating colonization of new areas and reducing seedling competition.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Brosimum acutifolium has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Acutifolin A.

Acutifolin A

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Brosimum acutifolium has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Mururé.

Mururé

1. Journal of natural products