bloodwood

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Bloodwood
• Satinwood
• bloodwood cacique

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Piratinera paraensis
• Ferolia guianensis
• Alicastrum rubescens
• Piratinera angustifolia
• Ferolia variegata
• Piratinera rubescens
• Piratinera lancifera
• Brosimum paraense
• Brosimum platyneurum
• Brosimum longistipulatum
• Brosimum lanciferum
• Brosimum angustifolium
• Brosimum brevipedunculatum
• Brosimum caloxylon

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Rosales, it is further organized into the family Moraeaee and the genus Brosimum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution across the tropical regions of Central and South America. In Central America, its presence is documented within the country of Panamá. Moving into Northern South America, the species can be found spanning several distinct territories. It is native to the Guianas, specifically inhabiting French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. Additionally, its geographical range extends into the northern reaches of Venezuela.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Brosimum rubescens is characterized by a broad elevational distribution, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 1000 m AMSL. This species exhibits significant ecological plasticity, inhabiting a diverse range of environments including anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica), campinarana formations, and riparian forests or gallery forests (Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria). Furthermore, it is a common component of both terra firme forests (Floresta de Terra Firme) and ombrophilous forests (Floresta Ombrófila), which include various types of tropical rainforest ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Campinarana, Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Brosimum rubescens is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain a long-term presence within its ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. Throughout its extended lifespan, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that it retains its foliage consistently rather than undergoing seasonal shedding.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Brosimum rubescens is characterized by its growth form as a large, woody tree that reaches a significant stature in its natural habitat. It is a terrestrial species that functions as an independent organism, not acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. As a self-supporting tree, it does not exhibit climbing habits such as lianas or vines. The plant's height is substantial, with an average height of approximately 30 m and a maximum potential height of up to 40 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

40 m

Plant height mean:

30 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Brosimum rubescens is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common mechanism for many tropical woody species that involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle. In terms of structural physiology, the plant exhibits a stem specific density (SSD) with a mean value of 820 mg/cm³, reflecting the density and mechanical properties of its woody tissue. Additionally, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, instead relying on the uptake of nitrogen from the soil.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

820 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Brosimum rubescens is characterized by a dispersal syndrome that is primarily zoochorous, relying on animals to facilitate the movement of its seeds. While the potential for various modes of movement exists within the broader ecological context—including anemochorous, autochorous, hydrochorous, and unspecialized methods—the species predominantly utilizes animal vectors to ensure its reproductive success and spatial distribution. This zoochorous mechanism is essential for transporting seeds away from the parent plant, thereby reducing competition and promoting the colonization of new habitats within its ecosystem.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

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

prenylcoumarin

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Brosimum rubescens has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiandrogenic.

Antiandrogenic

1. Journal of natural products