Locust

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Locust
• Stinking Toe Tree
• Brazilian copal
• South American-locust
• West Indian-locust
• amami-gum
• Brazilian Cherry
• Stinkingtoe
• West Indian Locust
• Jatobá or Brazilian Cherry

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hymenaea courbaril var. stilbocarpa
• Hymenaea candolleana
• Hymenaea courbaril var. villosa
• Hymenaea multiflora
• Hymenaea animifera
• Hymenaea retusa
• Hymenaea splendida
• Hymenaea stilbocarpa
• Inga megacarpa
• Hymenaea confertifolia
• Hymenaea courbaril var. obtusifolia
• Hymenaea courbaril var. subsessilis
• Hymenaea resinifera

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Following its classification through the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, it is a member of the Fabaceae family. Ultimately, it is categorized under the genus Hymenaea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Hymenaea courbaril, exhibits a specific distribution across several regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in the territories of Benin and Guinea-Bissau. Its presence extends further within West Tropical Africa to include the nations of Guinea and Ivory Coast. Additionally, the species is documented within the West-Central Tropical Africa region. Specifically, its geographical range reaches into the country of Congo.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Hymenaea courbaril is characterized by its adaptability to diverse forest ecosystems, where it is commonly found inhabiting Riparian Forests (Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria), Semi-deciduous Seasonal Forests (Floresta Estacional Semidecidual), and Ombrophilous Forests (Floresta Ombrófila/Pluvial). This species demonstrates a broad altitudinal distribution, ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 2,000 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range centered around 600 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Hymenaea courbaril is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to establish a long-term presence within its tropical ecosystem. Throughout its extended lifespan, the plant exhibits a deciduous growth habit, shedding its foliage in response to seasonal environmental changes or dry periods. This cyclical process of leaf senescence and regrowth is a fundamental aspect of its biological rhythm, ensuring its survival across various climatic fluctuations over many years.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hymenaea courbaril is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree. This species is primarily terrestrial in its habitat and functions as a self-supporting organism, neither acting as a climber (such as a liana or vine) nor as an epiphyte. As an independent plant, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior. The stature of the species is significant, with a mean plant height of approximately 21.67 meters, though it is capable of reaching a maximum height of up to 45 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

45 m

Plant height mean:

21.6666666666667 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Hymenaea courbaril is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common mechanism in many tropical woody species for carbon fixation. Its leaf architecture and resource allocation strategies are reflected in a mean leaf dry matter content (LDMC) of 340.5 mg/g, which remains consistent across its recorded minimum and maximum values. The foliage exhibits a mean leaf size of 85.509 cm² and a mean specific leaf area (SLA) of 150.9035 cm²/g, parameters that collectively define its light interception efficiency and leaf longevity. In terms of structural biomass, the plant maintains a mean stem specific density (SSD) of 860 mg/cm³, indicating a significant investment in dense, durable wood tissue. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on established soil nutrient cycles to meet its nitrogen requirements.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

340.5 mg/g

Leaf size mean:

85.509 cm²

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

150.9035 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

860 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Hymenaea courbaril is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on bats as a primary pollinator. The species exhibits an absence of self-fertilization, ensuring genetic diversity through cross-pollination. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces seeds that are dispersed via a zoochorous syndrome, utilizing animals for transport. The physical characteristics of the seeds vary, with a mean seed mass of approximately 3.670344379 g, ranging from a minimum of 3.51e-05 g to a maximum of 5.418 g. In terms of dimensions, the seeds maintain a consistent mean length of 19.604 mm, with the minimum and maximum values also recorded at 19.604 mm. Furthermore, the seed volume is highly uniform, with a reported mean, minimum, and maximum value of 13000 mm³.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Pollination syndrome :

bat

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length mean:

19.604 mm

Seed mass max:

5.418 g

Seed mass mean:

3.670344379 g

Seed mass min:

3.51e-05 g

Seed volume max:

13000 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Hymenaea courbaril has 4 reported plant parts identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, seed, fruit, stem.

Leaf

1. Experimental parasitology
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Seed

1. International journal of biological macromolecules
2. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Fruit

1. Genetics and molecular research : GMR

Stem

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Hymenaea courbaril has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Coumarins, Terpenes, (13R)-13-Hydroxy-1(10),14-ent-halimadien-18-oic acid, 3,7-Di-O-methylquercetin.

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Saudi journal of biological sciences
3. PloS one

Coumarins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Terpenes

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Saudi journal of biological sciences

(13R)-13-Hydroxy-1(10),14-ent-halimadien-18-oic acid

1. Journal of natural products

3,7-Di-O-methylquercetin

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Chrysoeriol 7-O-Neohesperidoside

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Saponins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Tannins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

XXXG

1. Carbohydrate research

arabinose

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

Activities

Hymenaea courbaril has 5 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Genotoxic, Toxic, Vermifuge.

Antimicrobial

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Genotoxic

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Toxic

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Vermifuge

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Hymenaea courbaril has 14 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include anemia, bronchitis, Leishmaniasis, arthritis, asthma.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations