Dipteryx alata
Baru tree
Dipteryx alata, commonly known as Baru, is a majestic legume native to the Brazilian Cerrado. Highly valued for its nutrient-dense seeds and medicinal properties, this tree offers significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. It plays a crucial role in biodiversity, supporting local ecosystems and traditional wellness practices through its versatile applications.
- Scientific name: Dipteryx alata
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. It is further organized into the subclass Magnoliidae, the order Fabales, and the family Fabaceae. Finally, its taxonomic placement concludes within the genus Dipteryx.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Dipteryx | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Dipteryx alatica Vogel, is referred to by various common names depending on the language and region. In Portuguese, it is frequently called Baru or Cumarurana, while in English, it is commonly known as the Baru tree or simply Dipteryx alatica Vogel. Additionally, in the Santali language, it is identified as ᱵᱟᱹᱨᱩ ᱫᱟᱨᱮ.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pt | Baru | Wikidata |
| sat | ᱵᱟᱹᱨᱩ ᱫᱟᱨᱮ | Wikidata |
| pt | Cumarurana | Wikidata |
| en | Baru tree | Wikidata |
| en | Dipteryx alata Vogel | Wikidata |
| sat | ᱰᱤᱯᱴᱮᱨᱤᱠᱥ ᱟᱞᱟᱴᱟ | Wikidata |
| sat | ᱵᱟᱹᱨᱩ ᱫᱟᱨᱮ (ᱵᱽᱨᱟᱡᱤᱞ) | Wikidata |
| sat | ᱵᱽᱨᱟᱡᱤᱞ ᱨᱮᱭᱟᱜ ᱵᱟᱹᱨᱩ | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is native to several key regions across Western South America and Brazil. Its presence is notably recorded within the borders of Bolivia. In Brazil, the species exhibits a wide-ranging distribution that covers the North and Northeast territories. Furthermore, it can be found throughout the West-Central and Southeast regions of the country. This broad coverage highlights the plant's significant ecological footprint across the South American continent.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western South America | Bolivia | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil West-Central | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil Northeast | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil Southeast | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil North | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Paraguay | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known commonly as the Baraúna, possesses various components that contribute to its medicinal and ecological profile. The leaves are a prominent feature, often utilized in traditional practices for their bioactive properties. Furthermore, the trunk xylem sap plays a critical role in the plant's physiology, transporting essential nutrients and water throughout its massive structure, which can sometimes be studied for its unique chemical composition.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| trunk xylem sap | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Dipteryx alata has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu.
- Total chemicals
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 14
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Al | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| As | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cd | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cr | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cu | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Fe | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mg | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mn | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| P | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Se | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Dipteryx alata has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic, Genotoxic.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Genotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Dipteryx alata has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Leishmaniasis, scar.
- Total uses
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Leishmaniasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| scar | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |