cocoplum

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Coco
• Coco Plant
• Coco Plum
• Cocoa Plant
• Cocoa Plum
• Fat Pork
• coco-plum

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 organized under the order Malpighiales and the family Chrysobalanaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Chrysobalanus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Chrysobalanus icaco, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the West Tropical African region. Its presence has been documented in several coastal and inland nations within this part of the continent. Specifically, it can be found growing in the territories of Benin and Gambia. The species also extends its range into Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, the plant's geographical reach includes the nation of Guinea, marking its presence in these diverse West African environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Chrysobalanus icaco is characterized by its strong affinity for maritime environments, as it is commonly found inhabiting coastal vegetation. This species demonstrates a broad vertical distribution across various landscapes, occupying an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum altitude of 1000 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

common on coastal vegetation

Life history

The life history of Chrysobalanus icaco is characterized by its status as a perennial species, ensuring long-term survival and persistence within its natural habitat. As a plant, it exhibits a phanerophyte life form, possessing significant woody structures that elevate its photosynthetic organs above the ground, though it can also be classified under the nanophanerophyte category depending on the specific growth stage or environmental context. This species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, retaining its foliage throughout the year to facilitate continuous metabolic processes.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Chrysobalanus icaco is characterized by a versatile growth form, primarily manifesting as a woody tree or shrub. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it maintains an independent existence rather than acting as a parasite. The plant is terrestrial in nature, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, and is not an epiphyte. In terms of stature, its height is highly variable depending on environmental conditions, with a minimum recorded height of 1 meter, a mean height of approximately 5.09 meters, and a maximum potential height reaching up to 12.19 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12.19214826 m

Plant height mean:

5.09 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Chrysobalanus icaco is characterized by specific morphological adaptations of its foliage and distinct metabolic processes. The leaves exhibit a notable range in size, with lengths varying from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 10 cm, while the widths fluctuate between 2.5 cm and 7 cm, providing a structural surface area optimized for its specific environmental niche. In terms of nutrient cycling and metabolic symbiosis, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized physiological mechanisms or symbiotic relationships required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for growth.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

7 cm

Leaf width min:

2.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Chrysobalanus icaco is characterized by the production of white flowers arranged in inflorescences that typically range in length from 0.03 m to 0.06 m. Following pollination, the plant develops fruits with a length measuring between 3.5 cm and 4 cm. The seeds produced are substantial, with a mean mass of approximately 2.7856875 g (ranging from a minimum of 1.7 g to a maximum of 5.5555 g) and a consistent volume of 3700 mm³. These seeds exhibit dimensions of up to 2.5 mm in length and 1.3 mm in width. The dispersal strategy of the species is primarily zoochorous, specifically utilizing an endozoochorous syndrome, which facilitates the movement of seeds through animal ingestion.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flower colour :

white

Fruit length max:

4 cm

Fruit length min:

3.5 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.06 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.03 m

Seed length max:

2.5 mm

Seed mass max:

5.5555 g

Seed mass mean:

2.7856875 g

Seed mass min:

1.7 g

Seed volume max:

3700 mm³

Seed width max:

1.3 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Chrysobalanus icaco has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Current issues in molecular biology

Chemicals

Chrysobalanus icaco has 16 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CALCIUM, Ash, Flavonoid, Flavonoids, MAGNESIUM.

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of integrative medicine

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

Flavonoid

1. Pharmacognosy research

Flavonoids

1. Journal of integrative medicine

MAGNESIUM

1. Journal of integrative medicine

POTASSIUM

1. Journal of integrative medicine

RUTIN

1. Pharmacognosy research

SODIUM

1. Journal of integrative medicine

Saponins

1. Journal of medicinal food

Steroids

1. Journal of medicinal food

Activities

Chrysobalanus icaco has 156 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic, Analgesic, Androgenic?.

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

AntiAGE

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCFS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCTS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCrohn's

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Chrysobalanus icaco has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Blood Glucose, Insulin Sensitivity, Weight Gain, cancer, fungal infections.

Blood glucose

1. Journal of medicinal food

Insulin sensitivity

1. Journal of medicinal food

Weight gain

1. Journal of medicinal food

Cancer

1. International journal of molecular medicine

Fungal infections

1. Pharmacognosy research

Hyperglycemia

1. Journal of medicinal food

Oral candidiasis

1. Pharmacognosy research

Preparations

Chrysobalanus icaco has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extract of C. icaco leaves, hydroalcoholic extract.

Aqueous extract of c. icaco leaves

1. Current issues in molecular biology

Hydroalcoholic extract

1. Pharmacognosy research