Chrysophyllum cainito

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across several continents and ocean regions. In Australia, its presence can be specifically identified within the state of Queensland. The species also extends into the Southwestern Pacific, where it is found in Tonga. Moving through the South-Central Pacific, it inhabits the Society Islands. Finally, its range includes the Americas, stretching from Belize in Central America to the southeastern regions of Mexico.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Chrysophyllum cainito is characterized by its ability to thrive across a broad altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1560 m AMSL. This wide elevational range indicates a high degree of ecological plasticity, allowing the species to colonize various topographical niches within tropical and subtropical landscapes. Typically found in moist, evergreen forests and disturbed secondary habitats, its distribution is heavily influenced by the availability of well-drained soils and consistent moisture levels. The species demonstrates a preference for warm, humid environments, where it can establish itself from coastal lowlands to the higher reaches of montane ecosystems, provided the temperature remains relatively stable.

Elevational range max:

1560 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Chrysophyllum cainito is characterized by its status as a perennial species, ensuring a long-term presence within its ecosystem. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated branches, a life form that allows it to thrive in various structural layers of its habitat. This plant exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year, providing continuous metabolic activity and structural density. Its growth strategy as a phanerophyte further underscores its ability to persist through seasonal changes by keeping its vital buds protected above the ground level.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Chrysophyllum cainito is characterized by a large, woody growth form, specifically classified as a tree. It is a self-supporting, terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a climber nor as a parasite. The plant exhibits a significant stature, with a mean height of approximately 18 m, though it can reach a maximum height of up to 34 m. As a purely terrestrial species, it does not exhibit any epiphytic qualities, such as being a hemi-epiphyte or holoephyte, and it is entirely non-aquatic in its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

34 m

Plant height mean:

18 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Chrysophyllum cainito is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a reliance on standard carbon fixation processes common to many tropical woody species. Its leaf morphology and tissue density reveal specific adaptations to its environment, featuring an average leaf length of 10 cm and an average leaf width of 5.5 cm. The leaf tissue exhibits a mean thickness of 0.0255 mm, and the plant does not display any physiological traits of succulence. Regarding its nutritional and structural composition, the leaf dry matter content (LDMC) is remarkably consistent, with a mean, minimum, and maximum value all recorded at 436.8 mg/g. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on soil-available nitrogen rather than symbiotic nitrogen fixation to support its metabolic processes.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

436.8 mg/g

Leaf length mean:

10 cm

Leaf thickness mean:

0.0255 mm

Leaf width mean:

5.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Chrysophyllum cainito involves complex biological mechanisms, beginning with the plant's capacity for self-fertilization, which is present within its reproductive cycle. The seeds produced are relatively uniform in mass, maintaining a consistent mean, minimum, and maximum weight of 0.21 g. Morphologically, the seeds are characterized by an average length of 14.4 mm, reaching a maximum seed height of 6.8 mm and a maximum seed width of 8.2 mm. Regarding the movement of its progeny, the species exhibits an anthropochorous dispersal syndrome, indicating that its seeds are distributed primarily through human activity.

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Seed height max:

6.8 mm

Seed length mean:

14.4 mm

Seed mass mean:

0.21 g

Seed width max:

8.2 mm

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Chrysophyllum cainito has 19 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, CALCIUM, FAT, IRON, Lucumin.

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

Lucumin

1. Dr. Duke

PHOSPHORUS

1. Dr. Duke

POTASSIUM

1. Dr. Duke

SAPONIN

1. Dr. Duke

SODIUM

1. Dr. Duke

ascorbic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Chrysophyllum cainito has 233 reported activities identified across 0 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