Pekea Nut

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Pekea Nut

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 class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is positioned in the order Malpighiales and the family Caryocaraceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Caryocar.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several key regions of South America. In the western part of the continent, its presence is noted in Bolivia. Within Brazil, it can be found across a vast expanse, including the North and South regions. Furthermore, it is well-established in the West-Central and Southeast areas of the country. This broad range highlights the diverse environmental adaptability of the species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Caryocar brasiliense is fundamentally defined by its presence within the Cerrado (latu sensu) habitat, where it serves as a vital component of the savanna biome. This species exhibits a broad adaptability to varying topographical settings, occupying an elevational range that extends from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 1000 m AMSL. Within these diverse landscapes, the plant is adapted to the specific soil compositions and seasonal moisture patterns characteristic of the Brazilian tropical savanna, playing a crucial role in the local ecosystem dynamics.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu)

Life history

The life history of Caryocar brasiliense is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the individual to persist through multiple seasonal cycles within its native habitat. In terms of its structural development and survival strategy, the species is classified as a phanerophyte, as it maintains its photosynthetic organs on woody stems elevated well above the ground level. However, depending on the specific environmental stressors and the developmental stage of the vegetation, its growth habit can also be described through the lens of a nanophanerophyte, reflecting its ability to manage its stature and foliage in response to its ecological niche.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Caryocar brasiliense is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically functioning as a self-supporting tree. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte, maintaining an independent life cycle without parasitic tendencies. The plant typically reaches a height of approximately 10 m, with both its mean and maximum recorded heights centered around this measurement.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Caryocar brasiliense is characterized by a metabolic framework consistent with many woody species inhabiting the Brazilian Cerrado, primarily utilizing the C3 photosynthetic pathway for carbon fixation. This C3 mechanism involves the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate by the enzyme RuBisCO, a process that requires careful regulation of stomatal conductance to balance CO2 uptake with transpirational water loss in its semi-arid habitat. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, relying instead on the uptake of mineral nitrogen from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Caryocar brasiliense has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, polyphenols, CALCIUM, Condensed Tannin, Ellagitannins.

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. BMC veterinary research

polyphenols

1. Journal of medicinal food
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

CALCIUM

1. Journal of medicinal food

Condensed Tannin

1. BMC veterinary research

Ellagitannins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hydrolyzable Tannins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

LYCOPENE

1. Journal of medicinal food

MAGNESIUM

1. Journal of medicinal food

Tannins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

ZINC

1. Journal of medicinal food

Activities

Caryocar brasiliense has 6 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Anticarcinogenic, Antigenotoxic, Antimicrobial, Cardioprotective.

Antioxidant

1. Journal of medicinal food
2. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity

Anticarcinogenic

1. Journal of medicinal food

Antigenotoxic

1. Journal of medicinal food

Antimicrobial

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity

Cardioprotective

1. Journal of medicinal food

Hepatoprotective

1. Journal of medicinal food

Medicinal Uses

Caryocar brasiliense has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Escherichia coli, inflammation, pain, rheumatoid arthritis.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations