Carapa procera

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Xylocarpus touloucouna
• Zurloa splendens
• Carapa guineensis
• Xylocarpus procerus
• Racapa procera
• Carapa gummiflua
• Carapa guyanensis
• Carapa procera var. gentilii
• Carapa touloucouna
• Afzelia splendens
• Zurloa insignis
• Zelea splendens
• Touloucouna gigantea
• Granatum procerum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Carapa procera, 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, its specific taxonomic placement is defined by the genus Carapa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Carapa procera, is primarily distributed across the region of West Tropical Africa. Its presence is documented in the country of Burkina, where it grows within specific ecological niches. The species also extends its range into Gambia, contributing to the local flora. Furthermore, it can be found throughout the territories of Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, the geographical reach of this medicinal plant includes the nation of Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Carapa procera is intimately linked to high-moisture environments, specifically thriving within the specialized niches of riparian forests (Floresta Ciliar) or gallery forests (Floresta de Galeria). These habitats provide the consistent water availability and high humidity levels necessary for its development, often placing the species within the broader context of ombrophilous forests, such as tropical rainforests (Floresta Ombrófila). By occupying these hydric zones, the plant benefits from the stable microclimates and nutrient-rich alluvial soils typical of forest edges adjacent to watercourses, which are essential for its survival and growth patterns in tropical ecosystems.

Habitat :

Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Carapa procera is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain its presence in its ecosystem over many years. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive shoots are elevated well above the ground, a structural adaptation that defines its growth habit and survival strategy. This phanerophyte life form ensures that its vital organs and budding structures are protected and positioned optimally for long-term development and environmental interaction.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Carapa procera is characterized by its stature as a large, woody tree that exhibits a self-supporting growth form. This terrestrial species typically reaches an average height of 17.5 m, though it possesses the capacity to attain a maximum height of up to 30 m. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. Its structural development is defined by its substantial woody composition, which supports its significant vertical growth within its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

17.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Carapa procera is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle for carbon fixation through the enzyme RuBisCO. Regarding its nutrient acquisition processes, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms and must instead rely on the uptake of nitrates or ammonium from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Carapa procera is characterized by a specific phenological cycle and specialized biological interactions. The flowering period typically commences in February and concludes in March, following a seasonal pattern. The plant relies on biotic pollination syndromes, specifically utilizing insects with a notable emphasis on bees to facilitate fertilization. Once fertilization is successful, the plant produces seeds that are dispersed via a zoochorous syndrome, meaning they are spread by animals. The seeds themselves exhibit significant physical dimensions, maintaining a consistent volume of 27,000 mm³. In terms of mass, the seeds show variability, with a minimum mass of 11.78 g, a maximum mass of 34.59 g, and an average mean mass of approximately 20.63 g.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flowering time :

Feb

Flowering time :

Mar

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

34.59 g

Seed mass mean:

20.62833333 g

Seed mass min:

11.78 g

Seed volume max:

27000 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Carapa procera has 3 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, fruit, root.

Leaf

1. Frontiers in pharmacology
2. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine

Fruit

1. Medecine tropicale : revue du Corps de sante colonial

Root

1. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine

Chemicals

Carapa procera has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Tannins, Saponins, Steroids, polyphenols.

Tannins

1. Frontiers in pharmacology
2. PloS one

Saponins

1. PloS one

Steroids

1. PloS one

polyphenols

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Activities

Carapa procera has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cosmetic, Antimalarial, Antimicrobial, Insect-Repellent.

Cosmetic

1. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine
2. Malaria journal

Antimalarial

1. Malaria journal

Antimicrobial

1. PloS one

Insect-Repellent

1. Malaria journal

Conditions

Carapa procera has 10 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include malaria, anemia, ants, bacterial infections, fatigue.

Malaria

1. Frontiers in pharmacology
2. Malaria journal

Anemia

1. PloS one

Ants

1. Malaria journal

Bacterial infections

1. African health sciences

Fatigue

1. Malaria journal

Flies

1. Malaria journal

Inflammation

1. Medecine tropicale : revue du Corps de sante colonial

Mosquitoes

1. Malaria journal

Trachoma

1. PloS one

Tuberculosis

1. PloS one

Preparations

Carapa procera has 6 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include "Touloucouna", chloroform fraction of the 100% ethanol extract of Carapa procera leaves, chloroform fractions of the leaves, raw bark, traditional oily ointment.

"touloucouna"

1. Medecine tropicale : revue du Corps de sante colonial

Chloroform fraction of the 100% ethanol extract of carapa procera leaves

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Chloroform fractions of the leaves

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Raw bark

1. PloS one

Traditional oily ointment

1. Medecine tropicale : revue du Corps de sante colonial

Vegetable oil

1. Malaria journal