Byrsonima japurensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Malpighia japurensis
• Byrsonima inundata
• Byrsonima japurensis subsp. fluminensis
• Byrsonima japurensis subsp. silvatica
• Byrsonima fluminensis
• Byrsonima uvulifera

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered under Malpighiales and placed in the family Malpighiaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Byrsonima.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide-ranging presence across several regions of the South American continent. In Northern South America, its distribution includes the country of Venezuela. Moving toward the western part of the continent, it can be found throughout Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Additionally, the species extends into the Brazilian territory. Specifically, its presence in Brazil is concentrated within the Northeast region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Byrsonima japurensis is characterized by its preference for specific humid forest environments, particularly within riparian corridors and seasonally flooded ecosystems. It is commonly found inhabiting Floresta Ciliar or Galeria (gallery forests), as well as Floresta de Igapó (blackwater flooded forests) and Floresta de Várzea (whitewater flooded forests), indicating an adaptation to high moisture availability and periodic inundation. Regarding its vertical distribution, the species occupies a relatively low-altitude niche, with an elevational range spanning from 100 m AMSL to a maximum of 450 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

450 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Igapó, Floresta de Várzea

Morphology

The morphology of Byrsonima japurensis is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically categorized as a tree. It functions as a self-supporting, independent organism, lacking any parasitic or obligatory epiphytic tendencies, and is primarily terrestrial in its habitat, though it may exist within a spectrum ranging from semiaquatic to terrestrial environments. This species can reach a significant maximum plant height of 20 meters. As a self-supporting tree, it does not exhibit climbing behaviors such as lianas or vines, maintaining a sturdy, woody structure that defines its physical presence in its ecosystem.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Byrsonima japurensis is characterized by a metabolic framework governed by a C3 photosynthetic pathway. In this process, the initial fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide occurs through the enzyme Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO), which catalyzes the reaction between CO2 and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate to produce two molecules of 3-phosphoglycerate. As a C3 plant, its carbon assimilation is primarily driven by the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells, where the absence of specialized Kranz anatomy or temporal separation mechanisms means that the plant is susceptible to photorespiration under conditions of high temperature or water stress. This metabolic profile dictates its resource acquisition strategies, influencing its transpiration rates, water-use efficiency, and overall growth patterns in response to varying environmental light intensities and moisture availability.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Byrsonima japurensis 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. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Byrsonima japurensis has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Free-Radical Scavenging.

Free-Radical Scavenging

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Conditions

Byrsonima japurensis has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include inflammation.

Inflammation

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Preparations

Byrsonima japurensis has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extract, ethanol extracts.

Aqueous extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ethanol extracts

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine