Brosimum potabile

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad presence across several regions of the South American continent. In the northern part of the continent, its habitat includes the country of Venezuela. Its range extends significantly into western South America, where it can be found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Additionally, the species is distributed within the Brazil West-Central region. Together, these locations define the specific geographical footprint of Brosimum potabile.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Brosimum potabile is characterized by its occurrence within diverse tropical forest ecosystems, specifically inhabiting Campinarana, Floresta de Terra Firme, and Floresta Ombrófila (Rainforest) environments. This species thrives across varying soil compositions found in these distinct biomes, ranging from the nutrient-poor sandy soils of Campinarana to the more stable and nutrient-rich conditions of terra firme and ombrophilous forests. Its distribution is also linked to specific altitudinal patterns, with a mean elevational range centered around 200 m AMSL, indicating a preference for lowland to sub-montane tropical settings.

Elevational range mean:

200 m AMSL

Habitat :

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

Life history

The life history of Brosimum potabile is characterized by its status as a perennial species, meaning it survives for many years beyond its initial growth stages. As a long-lived woody plant, it undergoes a continuous developmental cycle that allows it to maintain a stable presence within its ecosystem. Its longevity enables the plant to invest significant energy into structural development and reproductive maturity, eventually contributing to the long-term stability of its habitat through successive seasons of growth and reproduction.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Brosimum potabile is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, reaching an average height of 25 m and a maximum height of up to 30 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. The plant is entirely self-supporting, lacking the characteristics of a climber, liana, or vine, and it operates as an independent organism without parasitic behavior.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Brosimum potabile is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process through the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate by the enzyme RuBisCO. This metabolic strategy implies that the plant relies on the diffusion of carbon dioxide through its stomata to drive the Calvin cycle, a common trait among many tropical canopy species. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms; instead, it must rely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil to meet its nutritional nitrogen requirements for protein and nucleic acid synthesis.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Brosimum potabile has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem.

Stem

1. Fitoterapia

Preparations

Brosimum potabile has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic extract.

Ethanolic extract

1. Fitoterapia