Copaifera duckei

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Copaifera cearensis

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 Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae and the genus Copaifera. Specifically, its scientific identity is defined by the species name Copaifera duckei.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the diverse landscapes of Western South America, with a notable presence in Bolivia. Its range extends significantly into Brazil, where it can be found throughout the vast Northeast region. Furthermore, the species is widely documented within the Southeast portion of Brazil. It also inhabits the northern territories, making it a common sight in Brazil North. Overall, these specific regions define the natural habitat where this medicinal species thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Copaifera duckei is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to a diverse range of Brazilian ecosystems, allowing it to thrive across varying moisture gradients and soil types. This species is widely distributed among distinct biomes, including the Cerrado (latto sensu), where it must contend with seasonal water scarcity, as well as the humid environments of the Ombrophilous Forest (Pluvial Forest). It further exhibits ecological plasticity by inhabiting Seasonal Deciduous Forests and Seasonal Semi-deciduous Forests, where its phenology likely aligns with periodic leaf shedding. Additionally, its presence in Terra Firme forests and the specialized coastal environments of the Restinga highlights its capacity to occupy both stable upland forest structures and nutrient-limited, sandy coastal habitats.

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga

Life history

The life history of Copaifera duckei is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the individual to persist in its environment over many years. As a long-lived woody species, it undergoes a developmental progression from seedling to a mature, reproductive adult, maintaining its biological presence through multiple seasonal cycles. This perennial nature ensures that the plant can accumulate significant biomass and establish a robust physiological framework capable of supporting long-term growth and continuous or episodic reproductive efforts within its ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Copaifera duckei is characterized by its growth form as a large, woody tree, reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 35 m. As a self-supporting species, it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, nor does it exhibit epiphytic behavior, remaining strictly terrestrial rather than acting as a holoepiphyte, hemiepiphyte, or facultative epiphyte. The plant is independent in its nutritional requirements, lacking any parasitic tendencies such as obligatory or facultative parasitism. Furthermore, it is strictly a terrestrial organism, showing no aquatic or semiaquatic adaptations.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

35 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Copaifera duckei is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency within its native environment. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the availability of soil nitrates and ammonium rather than biological nitrogen fixation through symbiotic bacteria.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Copaifera duckei has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Oleoresin, ent-Agathic acid, trans-Caryophyllene.

Oleoresin

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

ent-Agathic acid

1. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences

trans-Caryophyllene

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Preparations

Copaifera duckei has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Copaifera duckei oleoresin, oleoresin.

Copaifera duckei oleoresin

1. Planta medica

Oleoresin

1. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences