Elaeis oleifera

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a distinct geographical range spanning across several regions of Central and South America. In Central America, its presence is documented within the borders of Costa Rica and Honduras. It also grows naturally throughout the territories of Nicaragua and Panamá. Moving into Northern South America, the distribution extends into the region of French Guiana. Together, these locations define the specific tropical habitats where the species can be found.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Elaeis oleifera is defined by its adaptability to diverse topographical settings, spanning an elevational range from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 1000 m AMSL. Within its natural environment, the species typically integrates into the forest structure by occupying the canopy habitat, where it competes for light and resources among other arboreal vegetation. Furthermore, the plant exhibits active biological strategies for survival, possessing defensive mechanisms to protect itself from herbivory and environmental stressors.

Defense :

yes

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

canopy

Life history

The life history of Elaeis oleifera is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody structures, a trait shared across its classification as both a phanerophyte and a large-scale phanerophyte. The plant maintains an evergreen habit, retaining its foliage throughout the year to support continuous photosynthetic activity.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Elaeis oleifera is characterized by a woody, self-supporting growth form, specifically classified as a tree and a palm. This terrestrial plant exhibits an erect shoot orientation and does not function as an epiphyte or a parasite, maintaining an independent life cycle. It reaches a mean plant height of approximately 4 m, with a maximum height of 5 m, and can develop a maximum diameter at breast height (DBH) of 40 cm. The structural development of the plant includes shoots that can reach a maximum length of 600 cm.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

DBH max:

40 cm

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Plant height mean:

4 m

Shoot length max:

600 cm

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Elaeis oleifera is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The structural development of the plant includes the production of large leaves, reaching a maximum leaf length of up to 1130 cm, which are equipped with leaf spines for physical defense. In terms of its anatomical composition, the plant exhibits a stem specific density (SSD) that remains consistent at a mean value of 190 mg/cm³, with both minimum and maximum recorded values also reaching 190 mg/cm³. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on external soil nutrient availability rather than symbiotic nitrogen fixation to support its physiological growth and development.

Leaf length max:

1130 cm

Leaf spines :

yes

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) min:

190 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Elaeis oleifera is characterized by the development of distinct fruits that exhibit specific morphological dimensions and colorations. The fruits typically present an orange color and vary in size, with a mean length of 2.75 cm, ranging from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 3 cm. In terms of lateral dimensions, the fruit width maintains a mean of 1.9 cm, fluctuating between a minimum of 1.8 cm and a maximum of 2 cm. Within these fruits, the seeds play a crucial role in the reproductive cycle, characterized by a highly consistent mass; the seed mass is measured at a mean, minimum, and maximum of 2.507 g, indicating a uniform weight for the reproductive units.

Fruit colour :

orange

Fruit length max:

3 cm

Fruit length mean:

2.75 cm

Fruit length min:

2.5 cm

Fruit width max:

2 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.9 cm

Fruit width min:

1.8 cm

Seed mass mean:

2.507 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Elaeis oleifera has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Arachidic acid, FAT, Hexadecenoic acid, SFA, linolenic acid.

Arachidic acid

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Hexadecenoic acid

1. Dr. Duke

SFA

1. Dr. Duke

linolenic acid

1. Dr. Duke

oleic acid

1. Dr. Duke

palmitic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Elaeis oleifera has 26 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic, Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Anemiagenic, Antialopecic.

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Anemiagenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antialopecic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiandrogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifibrinolytic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antileukotriene-D4

1. Dr. Duke

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke