Jacareuba

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Jacareuba
• Brazil Beauty-Leaf

Scientific Names

Accepted name

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 and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is positioned in the order Malpighiales and the family Calophyllaceae. Finally, it is identified under the genus Calophyllum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions within Mexico. In the northern and western reaches, it can be found throughout Mexico Southwest. Its presence extends eastward to cover Mexico Gulf and continues through the central parts of Mexico Central. Furthermore, the species is well-established in the tropical areas of Mexico Southeast. Finally, its geographical range expands southward into Central America, specifically within Belize.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Calophyllum brasiliense is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse forest ecosystems and a wide altitudinal distribution. It thrives in a variety of distinct habitats, ranging from seasonally flooded environments like Floresta de Várzea and Floresta de Igapó to more stable settings such as Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Ombrófila (pluvial forests), and Floresta Estacional Semidecidual. Additionally, this species is found in specialized landscapes including Campinarana, Restinga, Palmeiral, and riparian corridors known as Floresta Ciliar or Galeria. Its vertical distribution is equally broad, allowing it to colonize environments from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to high-altitude reaches of 2300 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campinarana, Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Igapó, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta de Várzea, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Palmeiral, Restinga

Life history

The life history of Calophyllum brasiliense is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive buds are elevated on aerial shoots well above the ground, a structural adaptation that defines its life form. This species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, retaining its foliage throughout the year to facilitate continuous photosynthetic activity, which supports its enduring growth cycle.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Calophyllum brasiliense is characterized by its robust, woody growth form, functioning as a substantial tree that reaches an average height of 25 m, with a maximum potential height of 30 m. As a self-supporting species, it does not exhibit climbing behavior such as lianas or vines, nor does it function as a parasite, maintaining an independent lifestyle. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its ecological habit, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic adaptations, and it does not exhibit epiphytic qualities, remaining grounded rather than growing as a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte.

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 Calophyllum brasiliense is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. In terms of leaf structural investment, the species exhibits a leaf dry matter content (LDMC) of 388.9 mg/g, a value that remains consistent across its recorded mean, minimum, and maximum measurements. Furthermore, this plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationships or physiological mechanisms required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, relying instead on soil-available nitrogen sources for its nutritional requirements.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

388.9 mg/g

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Calophyllum brasiliense is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying primarily on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds that exhibit significant morphological variation. These seeds possess a mean length of 18 mm, with individual measurements ranging from a minimum of 15 mm to a maximum of 30 mm. In terms of mass, the seeds show a wide distributional spectrum, with a mean mass of approximately 3.95 g; however, individual seed weight can vary drastically, from a minimum of 0.51 g to a maximum of as much as 15.97 g. Once mature, the dispersal of these seeds follows a zoochorous syndrome, meaning they are distributed via animals, which plays a crucial role in the species' ability to colonize new habitats.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

30 mm

Seed length mean:

18 mm

Seed length min:

15 mm

Seed mass max:

15.97 g

Seed mass mean:

3.953917143 g

Seed mass min:

0.51 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Calophyllum brasiliense has 5 reported plant parts identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, leaf, stem, flower, fruit.

Root

1. BMC plant biology
2. Die Pharmazie
3. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica
4. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences
5. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leaf

1. BMC plant biology
2. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences
3. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology
4. Therapie

Stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. BMC plant biology
3. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences
4. Journal of natural products

Flower

1. Die Pharmazie
2. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Fruit

1. Die Pharmazie
2. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Chemicals

Calophyllum brasiliense has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Coumarins, 1,5-Dihydroxyxanthone, Amentoflavone, Friedelin, Gallic acid.

Coumarins

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
2. Journal of natural products
3. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

1,5-Dihydroxyxanthone

1. Die Pharmazie
2. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Amentoflavone

1. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology
2. Therapie

Friedelin

1. Die Pharmazie
2. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Gallic acid

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences
2. Therapie

protocatechuic acid

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences
2. Therapie

Brasiliensic acid

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Epicatechin

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Hyperin (Hyperoside)

1. Therapie

Jacareubin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Calophyllum brasiliense has 5 reported activities identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antinociceptive, Antiproliferative, Antisecretory, Cytotoxic, Gastroprotective.

Antinociceptive

1. Chemistry & biodiversity
2. Die Pharmazie

Antiproliferative

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Antisecretory

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Cytotoxic

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Gastroprotective

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Calophyllum brasiliense has 14 reported medicinal uses identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, Bacillus cereus, Helicobacter pylori, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Plasmodium falciparum.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations