Caryocar coriaceum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Malpighiales, it is classified under the family Caryocaraceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Caryocar.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to several key regions within the expansive territory of Brazil. Its primary distribution can be found throughout the Brazil North region, where it thrives in tropical environments. Additionally, the species is widely recorded across the Brazil Northeast area. The geographical range also extends significantly into the Brazil West-Central portion of the country. Together, these locations highlight the broad ecological presence of Caryocar coriaceum across the Brazilian landscape.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Caryocar coriaceum is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the individual to persist and maintain biological activity over many years. As a member of the phanerophyte life forms, specifically classified as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic buds and vegetative structures well above the ground level, typically forming a woody architectural framework that supports its long-term survival in its natural habitat.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Caryocar coriaceum is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a self-supporting tree. It is a terrestrial species that functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. The plant reaches a significant stature in its natural habitat, with a mean height of approximately 10 meters and a maximum potential height of up to 15 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Caryocar coriaceum is characterized by complex metabolic processes centered around its structural resilience and nutrient acquisition strategies. As a woody species, its physiological framework supports robust secondary growth and the development of dense, coriaceous foliage designed to minimize transpiration and withstand environmental stressors. In terms of nutrient cycling and nitrogen acquisition, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium, typically found in leguminous species, and therefore relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system. Its metabolic activity is geared toward the synthesis of specialized lipids and bioactive compounds, which are integrated into its tissues to support structural integrity and defense mechanisms. Furthermore, its photosynthetic efficiency is modulated by seasonal variations, ensuring carbon assimilation is optimized for its specific ecological niche.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Caryocar coriaceum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Microbial pathogenesis
3. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Caryocar coriaceum has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Fatty acids, Flavonoids, catechins, flavonols, oil.

Fatty acids

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoids

1. Microbial pathogenesis

catechins

1. Microbial pathogenesis

flavonols

1. Microbial pathogenesis

oil

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

triglycerides

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Caryocar coriaceum has 6 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antinociceptive, Antioxidant, Gastroprotective, Hypolipemic.

Antimicrobial

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Microbial pathogenesis

Antinociceptive

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Gastroprotective

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Hypolipemic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hypolipidemic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Caryocar coriaceum has 13 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Candida tropicalis, bronchitis, burns, dyslipidemia, eczema.

Candida tropicalis

1. Microbial pathogenesis

Bronchitis

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Burns

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Dyslipidemia

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Eczema

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Erectile dysfunction

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Fatigue

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Fever

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Heart murmurs

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Indigestion

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Caryocar coriaceum has 4 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic extract obtained from bark and fruit pulp, fix oil, methanolic extract of the internal mesocarp of the fruits of C. coriaceum, oil.

Ethanolic extract obtained from bark and fruit pulp

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Fix oil

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Methanolic extract of the internal mesocarp of the fruits of c. coriaceum

1. Microbial pathogenesis

Oil

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)