changunga

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Golden Spoon
• craboo
• golden-spoon

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Malpighia laurifolia
• Malpighia cotinifolia
• Byrsonima cinerea
• Byrsonima crassifolia var. cinerea
• Byrsonima crassifolia f. ferruginea
• Byrsonima crassifolia var. jamaicensis
• Byrsonima moureila
• Byrsonima coriacea
• Byrsonima pulchra
• Byrsonima rhopalifolia
• Byrsonima rufescens
• Malpighia crassifolia
• Malpighia coriacea
• Malpighia cinerea
• Malpighia rufa
• Malpighia pulchra
• Malpighia rhopalifolia
• Malpighia montana
• Malpighia moureila
• Byrsonima crassifolia f. cubensis
• Byrsonima crassifolia subsp. insulata
• Byrsonima crassifolia f. kunthiana
• Byrsonima crassifolia var. lanceolata
• Byrsonima crassifolia var. moureila
• Byrsonima crassifolia var. peruviana
• Byrsonima crassifolia var. spruceana
• Byrsonima cotinifolia
• Byrsonima cubensis
• Byrsonima cumingiana
• Byrsonima ferruginea var. moureila
• Byrsonima fagifolia
• Byrsonima fendleri
• Byrsonima laurifolia
• Byrsonima laurifolia var. guatemalensis
• Byrsonima moritziana
• Byrsonima ferruginea
• Byrsonima montana
• Byrsonima jamaicensis
• Byrsonima karwinskiana
• Byrsonima lanceolata
• Byrsonima panamensis
• Byrsonima spruceane

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. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Malpighiales and the family Malpighiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is placed within the genus Byrsonima.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical presence throughout the various regions of Mexico. Its distribution is widespread, stretching across Mexico Central and into the regions of Mexico Northeast. It can also be found thriving in the coastal areas of Mexico Gulf. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the arid landscapes of Mexico Northwest. Finally, the plant is documented within the territories of Mexico Southwest, completing its broad national coverage.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

Byrsonima crassifolia exhibits a diverse ecological distribution, thriving across a broad altitudinal gradient that spans from sea level (0 m AMSL) to elevations as high as 2500 m AMSL. This plant is highly adaptable to various specialized ecosystems, demonstrating a wide range of habitat preferences including Campinarana, Cerrado (latu sensu), and Amazonian Savanna (Savaana Amazônica). Furthermore, it is frequently found in moisture-dependent environments such as Gallery Forests (Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria) and Ombrophilous Forests (Floresta Ombrófila, also known as Floresta Pluvial), as well as in coastal ecosystems like Restinga.

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campinarana, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga, Savana Amazônica

Life history

The life history of Byrsonima crassifolia is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. As a long-lived plant, it establishes a stable presence within its ecosystem, undergoing continuous developmental stages that support long-term survival and repeated reproductive efforts. This perennial nature enables the plant to endure seasonal variations and invest in robust structural growth, ensuring its continued existence and ability to contribute to the local flora over an extended temporal scale.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Byrsonima crassifolia is characterized by its woody structure and versatile growth forms, ranging from a shrub to a tree. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber or a liana, maintaining an independent status without being a parasite. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte. The plant exhibits significant vertical development, with an average height of approximately 6 m, although it can reach a maximum height of up to 15 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

6 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Byrsonima crassifolia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, reflecting its metabolic approach to carbon fixation. Its leaf structure demonstrates specific resource allocation patterns, evidenced by a mean Leaf Dry Matter Content (LDMC) of 351.9 mg/g, with values ranging from a minimum of 300 mg/g to a maximum of 403.8 mg/g. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 112.588 cm²/g, indicating its leaf density and surface area efficiency. Regarding nutrient cycling, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) max:

403.8 mg/g

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

351.9 mg/g

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) min:

300 mg/g

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

112.588 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Byrsonima crassifolia is characterized by a biotic pollination strategy, primarily mediated by insects, with a specific emphasis on bees as key pollinators. The plant produces fruit categorized as a drupe, which is indehiscent, meaning the fruit does not spontaneously split open at maturity to release its contents. Seed dispersal follows a zoochorous syndrome, where animals play a critical role in the movement of the seeds. The seeds themselves exhibit specific morphological dimensions, with a mean length of 9.5 mm (ranging from a minimum of 6 mm to a maximum of 30 mm) and a consistent seed volume of 2.7 mm³. In terms of mass, the seeds are relatively lightweight, possessing a mean mass of 0.00248 g, with individual seeds falling between a minimum of 0.00202 g and a maximum of 0.00294 g.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit type :

drupe

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

30 mm

Seed length mean:

9.5 mm

Seed length min:

6 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00294 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00248 g

Seed mass min:

0.00202 g

Seed volume max:

2.7 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Byrsonima crassifolia has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, leaf.

Fruit

1. Alternative therapies in health and medicine

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Byrsonima crassifolia has 17 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, Betulin, CALCIUM, Carotenoid, FAT.

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

Carotenoid

1. Archiv der Pharmazie

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

PHOSPHORUS

1. Dr. Duke

Proanthocyanidins

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Tannin

1. Dr. Duke

ascorbic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Byrsonima crassifolia has 248 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimutagenic, Antioxidant, Acaricide, Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor.

Antimutagenic

1. Dr. Duke
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

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

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Byrsonima crassifolia has 11 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Aspergillus flavus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Micrococcus luteus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations