Carapa guianensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Carapa macrocarpa
• Xylocarpus guineensis
• Guarea mucronulata
• Granatum guianense
• Persoonia guareoides

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Carapa guianenis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Sapindales and the family Meliaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Carapa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Carapa guianensis, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several countries in Central America. It can be found growing within the diverse ecosystems of Belize. Its presence is also documented throughout the various landscapes of Guatemala and Honduras. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the territories of Nicaragua. Finally, its distribution continues southward into the tropical regions of Costa Rica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Carapa guianensis is characterized by its presence in diverse forest ecosystems, specifically inhabiting both Floresta de Terra Firme and Floresta de Várzea. This species demonstrates a broad adaptability to varying topographical positions, occupying an elevational range that extends from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 2300 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta de Várzea

Life history

The life history of Carapa guianensis is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to establish a long-term presence within its tropical forest ecosystems. As a long-lived woody plant, it undergoes a gradual developmental progression from seedling to a large, canopy-reaching tree, maintaining its biological functions across many successive years. This perennial nature enables the plant to endure seasonal fluctuations and contribute to the forest structure over an extended lifespan, undergoing multiple reproductive cycles throughout its existence.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Carapa guianensis is characterized by its stature as a large, woody tree that can reach a significant plant height, with an average height of approximately 35 m and a maximum potential height of up to 55 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The plant is strictly self-supporting in its growth habit, lacking the climbing characteristics of lianas or vines, and it does not function as an epiphyte, maintaining a purely terrestrial existence. Its structural composition is defined by its woody nature, supporting its massive growth form within its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

55 m

Plant height mean:

35 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Carapa guianensis is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide into organic compounds, which is typical for many large tropical woody species. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized root nodules containing nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms; instead, it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its extensive root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Carapa guianensis is characterized by a diverse dispersal syndrome that is considered unspecialized, encompassing anemochorous, zoochorous, autochorous, and hydrochorous mechanisms. The seeds produced by this species exhibit significant morphological variation, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 50 mm to a maximum of 100 mm. Furthermore, seed mass shows considerable fluctuation, ranging from a minimum of 3.448 g to a maximum of 27.51 g, with an overall mean seed mass of 17.69566667 g.

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Seed length max:

100 mm

Seed length min:

50 mm

Seed mass max:

27.51 g

Seed mass mean:

17.69566667 g

Seed mass min:

3.448 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Carapa guianensis has 2 reported plant parts identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed, flower.

Seed

1. Polymers
2. AAPS PharmSciTech
3. Current research in toxicology
4. Fitoterapia
5. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Flower

1. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Carapa guianensis has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Andirobin, 7-deacetoxy-7-oxogedunin, gedunin, 6alpha-Hydroxygedunin, Epoxyazadiradione.

Andirobin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Fitoterapia
3. Current pharmaceutical design

7-deacetoxy-7-oxogedunin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Current pharmaceutical design

gedunin

1. Fitoterapia
2. Current pharmaceutical design

6alpha-Hydroxygedunin

1. Dr. Duke

Epoxyazadiradione

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

METHYL ANGOLENSATE

1. Current pharmaceutical design

Mexicanolide

1. Fitoterapia

oil

1. AAPS PharmSciTech

oleic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Carapa guianensis has 31 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic, Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Anemiagenic, Antialopecic.

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Anemiagenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antialopecic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiandrogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifibrinolytic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antileukotriene-D4

1. Dr. Duke

Antimalarial

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Carapa guianensis has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Wound Healing, allergy, gastric cancer, helminthiasis.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations