Hymenaea stigonocarpa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hymenaea stigonocarpa var. olfersiana
• Hymenaea stigonocarpa var. stigonocarpa
• Hymenaea stigonocarpa var. pubescens
• Hymenaea olfersiana
• Hymenaea correana
• Hymenaea chapadensis
• Hymenaea rotundata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, situated within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation falls under the genus Hymenaea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of habitats across the South American continent. In Northern South America, its presence is noted within the borders of Venezuela. Its distribution extends into Western South America, specifically reaching into Bolivia. Within Brazil, the species can be found throughout the West-Central region. Furthermore, it is widely distributed across the Northeast and Southeast regions of Brazil.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Hymenaea stigonocarpa is characterized by its ability to thrive across diverse Brazilian biomes, specifically within the Caatinga (strictu sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), and Floresta Estacional Semidecidual. This species demonstrates significant adaptability to varying landscapes, occupying an altitudinal gradient that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum elevation of 500 m AMSL. This distribution pattern allows the plant to integrate into different ecosystem dynamics, ranging from the semi-arid conditions of the Caatinga to the seasonal moisture variations found in deciduous and semi-deciduous forests.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Estacional Semidecidual

Life history

The life history of Hymenaea stigonocarpa is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem over many years. As a phanerophyte, its primary regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody branches, a structural adaptation typical of large woody plants. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, meaning it undergoes a seasonal shedding of its foliage as part of its natural physiological cycle. Its classification as a phanerophyte is consistent across its developmental stages, ensuring its survival and growth through long-term establishment in its habitat.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hymenaea stigonocarpa is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically categorized as a tree. It is a self-supporting species that does not function as a climber or a liana, and it maintains an independent existence rather than acting as a parasite. This terrestrial plant is neither aquatic nor semi-aquatic, nor does it exhibit epiphytic behavior, remaining strictly terrestrial in its habitat. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a mean height of approximately 8 meters, with a maximum potential height of up to 12 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12 m

Plant height mean:

8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Hymenaea stigonocarpa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process and metabolic efficiency in typical forest environments. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships, the species is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the availability of nitrogen within the soil rather than hosting specialized bacteria for atmospheric nitrogen conversion.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Hymenaea stigonocarpa is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit a highly consistent and uniform physical profile. The reproductive output of this species is marked by a specific seed volume that remains constant across observed samples, with a minimum, maximum, and mean volume all measured at exactly 3100 mm³. This lack of variance in seed volume suggests a highly stabilized reproductive strategy, ensuring that each seed produced maintains a standardized size of 3100 mm³ to optimize its developmental potential and dispersal success.

Seed volume max:

3100 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Hymenaea stigonocarpa has 5 reported plant parts identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, flower, leaf, root, stem.

Fruit

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Flower

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Leaf

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Root

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Hymenaea stigonocarpa has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, ACETOGENINS, Condensed Tannins, Coumarins, Fatty acids.

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

ACETOGENINS

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Condensed Tannins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Coumarins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fatty acids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Lignans

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Procyanidins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Steroids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Tannins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Terpenes

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Hymenaea stigonocarpa has 1 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Hymenaea stigonocarpa has 13 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Leishmania braziliensis, anemia, asthma, bronchitis, cough.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations