Libidibia paraguariensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Caesalpinia paraguariensis
• Caesalpinia melanocarpa
• Acacia paraguariensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following its placement in the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, it is a member of the family Fabaceae. It is specifically identified under the genus Libidibia, with its species name being paraguariensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution throughout several regions of South America. In Western South America, its presence is noted within the borders of Bolivia. Its range extends into Brazil, specifically across the West-Central portion of the country. Within Southern South America, it can be found in both the Northeast and Northwest regions of Argentina. Finally, the species is also widely distributed throughout Paraguay.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Libidibia paraguariensis is characterized by its adaptation to diverse environmental conditions, primarily thriving within the Cerrado (lato sensu) biome. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying a significant vertical range that extends from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1500 m AMSL. This wide elevational range allows the plant to inhabit various microclimates and topographical settings within its native landscape, ranging from lowland plains to higher-altitude terrains.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu)

Life history

The life history of Libidibia paraguariensis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to establish long-term presence within its ecosystem. As a phanerophyte, its buds are elevated well above the ground level, typically manifesting as a woody structure that supports its growth through various seasons. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage periodically, which is a key component of its seasonal biological rhythm. This combination of a long-lived perennial existence, a phanerophyte life form, and deciduous growth patterns defines its survival strategy and structural development over time.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Libidia paraguariensis is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a tree. This plant exhibits a significant vertical structure, with a mean height of approximately 15 m and a maximum recorded height reaching up to 11 m. In terms of its habit and ecological positioning, it is a terrestrial species, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite. Although it possesses certain structural characteristics, it is categorized as a self-supporting plant, meaning it does not function as an obligatory or facultative climber, liana, or vine, nor does it exhibit epiphytic behavior such as being a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

11 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Libidibia paragueriensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle without the specialized carbon-concentrating mechanisms found in C4 or CAM plants. This metabolic strategy dictates its reliance on specific environmental conditions, such as moderate temperatures and available moisture, to optimize stomatal conductance and gas exchange. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition processes, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (such as Rhizobium) required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms; instead, it depends on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil to satisfy its nitrogen requirements for protein synthesis and chlorophyll production.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Libidia paraguariensis is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying on living organisms rather than abiotic factors to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Specifically, the plant utilizes an insect-mediated pollination mechanism to ensure fertilization. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds with a highly uniform mass; the seed mass is recorded at a constant value of 0.16667 g, with the mean, minimum, and maximum measurements all aligning at this specific weight.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

0.16667 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Libidibia paraguariensis has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem.

Stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Libidibia paraguariensis has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3,3'-Di-O-methylellagic acid, 3-O-methylellagic acid, 3-o-(e)-hydroxycinnamoyl oleanolic acid, Bilobetin, Lupeol.

3,3'-Di-O-methylellagic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

3-O-methylellagic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

3-o-(e)-hydroxycinnamoyl oleanolic acid

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Bilobetin

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Lupeol

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

betulinic acid

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

ellagic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Libidibia paraguariensis has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include stem bark infusion (CPBI).

Stem bark infusion (cpbi)

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology