Byrsonima intermedia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Byrsonima intermedia f. angustifolia
• Byrsonima intermedia f. latifolia
• Byrsonima intermedia f. macrobotrya
• Byrsonima intermedia f. parvifolia
• Byrsonima bumeliifolia var. glabrifolia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales, it is further categorized under the family Malpighiaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Byrsonima.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide-ranging presence across the vast territory of Brazil. Its distribution covers the diverse landscapes of the Brazil North region and the Brazil Northeast area. Furthermore, it can be found growing throughout the Brazil West-Central territories. The species also extends its reach into the Brazil Southeast and the Brazil South regions. Consequently, this medicinal plant is widely distributed across nearly every major geographical zone in the country.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Byrsonima intermedia is characterized by its presence within the Cerrado biome, where it adapts to the specific environmental conditions of this tropical savanna ecosystem. This species occupies a diverse altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1000 m AMSL. This broad elevational range allows the plant to inhabit various microclimates within its native habitat, facilitating its distribution across different topographical landscapes within the Cerrado.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado

Life history

The life history of Byrsonima intermedia is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a perennial, the plant does not complete its life cycle in a single year but instead maintains a continuous presence, often developing robust structures that facilitate long-term survival and repeated reproductive efforts. This extended lifecycle enables the plant to establish a stable foothold within its ecological niche, adapting to seasonal fluctuations and accumulating resources over time to support its growth and flowering phases across successive years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Byrsonima intermedia is characterized by its woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a shrub or small tree that reaches a maximum plant height of 4 meters. As a self-supporting species, it does not exhibit climbing habits such as lianas or vines, nor does it function as an obligate or facultative climber. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its ecological habit, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic adaptations, and it does not function as an epiphyte (whether holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte) or a parasite, maintaining an independent nutritional status. Its structural integrity is defined by its woody nature, which supports its stature within its terrestrial habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Byrsonima intermedia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic strategy common to many woody shrubs in the Asteraceae family. Under this pathway, carbon fixation is initiated through the carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) by the enzyme RuBisCO, resulting in the immediate production of two molecules of 3-phosphoglycerate. This process occurs primarily within the mesophyll cells during daylight hours, facilitating the conversion of light energy into chemical energy through the Calvin cycle. Because it relies on the C3 pathway, the plant's gas exchange and water-use efficiency are closely tied to its stomatal conductance, where it must balance the intake of atmospheric carbon dioxide with the prevention of excessive transpirational water loss. This physiological framework dictates its resource allocation and growth patterns, particularly in its ability to manage photorespiration in varying environmental temperatures and light intensities.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Byrsonima intermedia has 1 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Chemicals

Byrsonima intermedia has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Phenols, Proanthocyanidins, Triterpenes, sorbitol.

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Phenols

1. Frontiers in chemistry

Proanthocyanidins

1. Frontiers in chemistry

Triterpenes

1. Frontiers in chemistry

sorbitol

1. Cryo letters

sucrose

1. Cryo letters

Activities

Byrsonima intermedia has 6 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antimutagenic, Antinociceptive, Antioxidant, Gastroprotective.

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antimutagenic

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antinociceptive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Gastroprotective

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Mutagenic

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Medicinal Uses

Byrsonima intermedia has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diarrhea, gastric ulcers, gastritis, gastrointestinal disorders, ulcers.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations