Crataeva tapia

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• garlic-pear

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Nevosmila arborea
• Colicodendron obliquifolium
• Crateva tapia var. glauca
• Crateva radiatiflora
• Crateva tapioides
• Crateva gynandra
• Crateva benthamii
• Crateva benthamii var. leptopetala
• Crateva coriacea
• Crateva glauca
• Crateva acuminata
• Crateva bahiana
• Crateva arborea

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 Brassicales, it is classified under the family Capparaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identification is placed within the genus Crateva, specifically the species Crateva tapia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide-ranging presence throughout the diverse landscapes of Mexico. Its distribution begins in the central regions, where it occupies the heart of the country. Moving toward the coastal and border areas, it can also be found across Mexico Northeast and Mexico Gulf. The species further extends its reach into the arid terrains of Mexico Northwest. Finally, its geographical footprint is completed by its documented occurrence in Mexico Southwest.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Crateva tapia is characterized by its adaptability to diverse environmental conditions, ranging from sea level up to an elevation of 1500 m AMSL. This species exhibits a broad ecological plasticity, inhabiting various distinct ecosystems including the semi-arid Caatinga (strictu sensu), the transitional landscapes of the Carrasco, and the humid environments of the Floresta Ciliar or Galeria, as well as Manguezal. This distribution pattern indicates its ability to thrive in both water-stressed habitats and moisture-rich riparian or coastal zones.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Carrasco, Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Manguezal

Life history

The life history of Crateva tapia is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain its presence in its ecosystem over many years. As a phanerophyte, the plant directs its growth upward, with its reproductive buds located on branches well above the ground level, a trait consistent with both its general life form classification and its specific phanerophyte designation. Furthermore, the plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that it retains its foliage throughout its life cycle rather than shedding all its leaves seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Crateva tapia is characterized by a woody growth form that manifests as both a tree and a shrub. As a terrestrial species, it functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting in its climbing habit, rather than being a liana or a vine. In terms of stature, it reaches a mean height of approximately 12 m, with a maximum potential height of up to 15 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

12 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Crataeva tapia is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide into organic compounds. This metabolic process is typical of many woody dicotyledonous species, where carbon fixation occurs primarily within the mesophyll cells without the specialized spatial separation seen in C4 plants or the nocturnal acid accumulation found in CAM plants. Additionally, regarding its nutrient acquisition processes, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, relying instead on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Crateva tapia is characterized by a biotic pollination strategy, primarily driven by insects, with bees playing a significant role in the pollination process. Once fertilization occurs, the plant produces seeds with distinct morphological properties; these seeds exhibit a mean length of 12.09 mm, ranging from a minimum of 6 mm to a maximum of 15 mm. In terms of physical dimension, the seed volume varies significantly, with a minimum of 250 mm³, a mean of 575 mm³, and a maximum reaching up to 900 mm³. The mass of the seeds is also relatively consistent, with a mean mass of 0.217 g, falling within a narrow range between a minimum of 0.203 g and a maximum of 0.23 g. Finally, the dispersal of these seeds follows a zoochorous syndrome, relying on animals to facilitate their movement and distribution within the environment.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

15 mm

Seed length mean:

12.09 mm

Seed length min:

6 mm

Seed mass max:

0.23 g

Seed mass mean:

0.217 g

Seed mass min:

0.203 g

Seed volume max:

900 mm³

Seed volume mean:

575 mm³

Seed volume min:

250 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Crateva tapia has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Allelopathic.

Allelopathic

1. Biology

Conditions

Crateva tapia has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Enterococcus faecium, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium.

Enterococcus faecium

1. Letters in applied microbiology

Escherichia coli

1. Letters in applied microbiology

Klebsiella pneumoniae

1. Letters in applied microbiology

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

1. Letters in applied microbiology

Salmonella typhimurium

1. Letters in applied microbiology

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Letters in applied microbiology

Preparations

Crateva tapia has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanolic extracts.

Methanolic extracts

1. Letters in applied microbiology