Machaerium hirtum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Nissolia hirta
• Machaerium glabratum
• Machaerium jacarandifolium
• Machaerium rectipes
• Machaerium violaceopurpureum
• Machaerium pilosum
• Machaerium affine
• Machaerium glabripes
• Machaerium acaciifolium
• Machaerium bolivianum
• Machaerium angustifolium f. glaucum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically classified within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further organized under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Machaerium as the species Machaerium hirtum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical range spanning across several regions of the Americas. In Central America, its presence is specifically noted in Panamá. Moving into Northern South America, it can be found growing in both Guyana and Venezuela. The species also extends into Western South America, where it inhabits the territory of Colombia. Additionally, its distribution reaches further south into the Western South American nation of Bolivia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Machaerium hirtum is characterized by its remarkable adaptability across a diverse range of ecosystems and significant altitudinal variations. This species thrives in a wide variety of habitats, ranging from anthropized areas (Área Antrópica) to more complex natural formations including the Caatinga (strictu sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), and riparian environments such as Forest Gallery (Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria). It is also a component of several forest types, specifically occurring in Terra Firme forests, Semi-deciduous Seasonal forests (Floresta Estacional Semidecidual), and Ombrophilous/Pluvial forests (Floresta Ombrófila). In terms of topography, the plant exhibits a broad elevational distribution, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 1600 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 1500 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1600 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Machaerium hirtum is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem over multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems or branches, a structural adaptation that defines its growth habit. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, meaning it undergoes a seasonal shedding of its foliage, a process typically synchronized with environmental changes to manage resources. Through these combined traits, the species maintains a stable, long-term presence in its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Machaerium hirtum is characterized by its robust, woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a tree. This terrestrial species exhibits significant verticality, with a mean plant height of approximately 6 m, though it can reach a maximum height of up to 18 m. As a non-parasitic organism, it functions as an independent plant, maintaining a self-supporting climbing habit rather than acting as an obligatory or facultative vine. It does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, remaining strictly terrestrial throughout its life cycle.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

18 m

Plant height mean:

6 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Machaerium hirtum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy that allows for efficient carbon fixation under specific environmental conditions. The plant exhibits a highly consistent Specific Leaf Area (SLA), with a minimum, mean, and maximum value all recorded at 118 cm²/g, indicating a uniform leaf structure and resource allocation strategy regarding leaf mass per unit area. In terms of structural biomass, it possesses a stem specific density (SSD) with a mean value of 700 mg/cm³, reflecting its internal wood density and mechanical properties. Additionally, the species functions as a nitrogen fixer, a vital physiological trait that enables it to enhance soil fertility and support its own growth through biological nitrogen fixation.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

118 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

700 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Machaerium hirtum is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying on living organisms to facilitate the transfer of pollen between flowers. This reproductive strategy is driven primarily by insect vectors, which play a critical role in the plant's life cycle. Specifically, the pollination process is heavily dependent on bees, which act as specialized agents to ensure successful fertilization. By utilizing these biotic interactions, the plant ensures effective genetic exchange through the targeted movement of pollinators within its ecosystem.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Machaerium hirtum has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include allantoin.

allantoin

1. Biomolecules

Activities

Machaerium hirtum has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antinociceptive.

Antinociceptive

1. Biomolecules

Conditions

Machaerium hirtum has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Acute Pain, Inflammation, cough, diarrhea, ulcers.

Acute pain

1. Biomolecules

Inflammation

1. Biomolecules

Cough

1. Biomolecules

Diarrhea

1. Biomolecules

Ulcers

1. Biomolecules