Guarea guidonia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range that extends across parts of Central America and the Caribbean. Within the Central American region, it can be found growing in the tropical landscapes of Costa Rica and Honduras. Its distribution continues southward through the territories of Nicaragua and Panamá. Additionally, the species reaches out into the Caribbean islands, specifically inhabiting Cuba. Collectively, these locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in various humid environments across these distinct zones.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Guarea guidonia is characterized by its adaptation to diverse forest structures and specific hydrological conditions. It typically thrives in mid-elevation and low-elevation forests (bosque medio and bosque bajo), particularly in environments featuring saturated soil or within the specialized niche of gallery forests. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying an elevational range that extends from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 1400 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Bosque medio, bosque bajo on saturated soil, gallery forest

Life history

The life history of Guarea guidonia is characterized by its nature as a perennial organism, allowing it to maintain a stable presence within its ecological niche over many years. Throughout its extended lifespan, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that its foliage remains lush and functional across various seasons without a period of dormancy characterized by leaf loss. This continuous vegetative state supports its long-term growth patterns and reproductive cycles within its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Guarrea guidonia is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, which functions as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber or liana. This species is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, functioning as an independent organism without parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant vertical development, with an average height of approximately 19.33 meters and the potential to reach a maximum height of up to 50 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

50 m

Plant height mean:

19.3333333333333 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Guarhea guidonia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic strategy typical of many tropical canopy species. Its leaf structure exhibits specific biomass allocation patterns, with a mean leaf dry matter content (LDMC) of 342.8 mg/g, fluctuating within a range from a minimum of 301.2 mg/g to a maximum of 384.4 mg/g. In terms of structural support and wood characteristics, the plant maintains a stem specific density (SSD) with a mean value of 760 mg/cm³. Additionally, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on existing soil nutrient availability for its nitrogen requirements.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) max:

384.4 mg/g

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

342.8 mg/g

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) min:

301.2 mg/g

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

760 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Guarrea guidonia is characterized by a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, indicating that its seeds are primarily distributed by animals. The seeds exhibit significant morphological variability, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 6 mm to a maximum of 30 mm, resulting in a mean seed length of 14.142 mm. In terms of physical dimensions, the seed volume is consistent across the observed data at 920 mm³. Furthermore, the seeds vary in weight, with a minimum mass of 0.1 g and a maximum mass of 1.2 g, contributing to an overall mean seed mass of 0.38125 g.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Seed length max:

30 mm

Seed length mean:

14.142 mm

Seed length min:

6 mm

Seed mass max:

1.2 g

Seed mass mean:

0.38125 g

Seed mass min:

0.1 g

Seed volume max:

920 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Guarea guidonia has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthraquinones, Ash, BETA-SITOSTEROL, FAT, Tannin.

Anthraquinones

1. Dr. Duke

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Tannin

1. Dr. Duke

alpha-Amyrin

1. Dr. Duke

resin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Guarea guidonia has 81 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Androgenic, Angiogenic, Anorexic, Anthelmintic.

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anorexic

1. Dr. Duke

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antiadenomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiandrogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Guarea guidonia has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include analgesic, antiviral.

Most Reported Uses