Brosimum alicastrum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant is primarily found within the diverse landscapes of the Southeastern United States, specifically inhabiting the state of Florida. Its distribution extends significantly into Mexico, where it occupies several distinct geographical regions. In the central part of Mexico, the species establishes a notable presence across the terrain. It is also widely distributed throughout the northeastern and gulf coastal areas of the country. Finally, the plant can be located within the northwestern territories of Mexico, completing its broad regional range.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Brosimum alicastrum is characterized by its preference for specific forest types and a broad altitudinal distribution. It is primarily found inhabiting Floresta de Terra Firme and Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial), indicating a strong association with moist, tropical rainforest ecosystems. In terms of its vertical distribution, the species occupies an elevational range starting from 0 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 1250 m AMSL, allowing it to thrive across diverse topographic gradients within its native range.

Elevational range max:

1250 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

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

Life history

The life history of Brosimum alicastrum is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years through continuous growth and establishment. Throughout its long lifespan, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and present across successive growing seasons rather than shedding leaves seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Brosimum aliicastrum is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree. It is a self-supporting species that does not function as a climber, vine, or liana, nor does it exhibit parasitic behavior, remaining entirely independent in its ecological niche. As a terrestrial plant, it does not possess epiphytic qualities, such as being a hemi-epiphyte or holoepiphyte. The plant is notable for its significant stature, reaching an average height of approximately 37.5 meters, with maximum heights recorded up to 40 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

40 m

Plant height mean:

37.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Brosimum alicastrum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a standard carbon fixation process typical of many tropical woody species. Its leaf morphology and resource allocation strategies are reflected in a mean leaf dry matter content (LDMC) of 450.2 mg/g, which fluctuates within a range of 432.7 mg/g to 467.7 mg/g. The leaves exhibit a mean length of 8.7 cm and a mean width of 4.6 cm, with a relatively thin mean thickness of 0.012 mm. These structural parameters contribute to a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 176.454 cm²/g, providing insight into the plant's leaf economics spectrum and its strategy for light interception and nutrient use efficiency. Additionally, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on soil nutrient availability for its nitrogen requirements.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) max:

467.7 mg/g

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

450.2 mg/g

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) min:

432.7 mg/g

Leaf length mean:

8.7 cm

Leaf thickness mean:

0.012 mm

Leaf width mean:

4.6 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

176.454 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Brosimum alicastrum is characterized by a complex interplay of abiotic pollination and biotic dispersal mechanisms. The pollination process is classified as abiotic, specifically utilizing wind as the primary pollination syndrome. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces fleshy fruits categorized as berries. These fruits are indehiscent, meaning they do not split open at maturity to release their contents, which facilitates a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, where animals aid in the movement of the seeds. The seeds themselves exhibit significant morphological variation; they possess a mean seed mass of approximately 1.3748 g, with individual seeds ranging from a minimum of 0.3605 g to a maximum of 2.721 g. In terms of dimensions, the seed length varies from a minimum of 6 mm to a maximum of 15 mm, with a mean length of 11.3 mm, while the maximum seed width reaches 10.2 mm and the maximum seed height is 7 mm. The seed volume is equally diverse, ranging from a minimum of 500 mm³ to a maximum of 2200 mm³, with a calculated mean volume of 1244 mm³.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit type :

berry

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Seed height max:

7 mm

Seed length max:

15 mm

Seed length mean:

11.3 mm

Seed length min:

6 mm

Seed mass max:

2.721 g

Seed mass mean:

1.3748125 g

Seed mass min:

0.3605 g

Seed volume max:

2200 mm³

Seed volume mean:

1244 mm³

Seed volume min:

500 mm³

Seed width max:

10.2 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Brosimum alicastrum has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, CALCIUM, FAT, IRON, PHOSPHORUS.

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

PHOSPHORUS

1. Dr. Duke

ascorbic acid

1. Dr. Duke

beta-carotene

1. Dr. Duke

niacin

1. Dr. Duke

riboflavin

1. Dr. Duke

thiamin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Brosimum alicastrum has 207 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic, Analgesic, Androgenic?.

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

AntiAGE

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCFS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCTS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCrohn's

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Brosimum alicastrum has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include hypertension, obesity.

Hypertension

1. Pharmacognosy research

Obesity

1. Pharmacognosy research