Machaerium hirtum
Machaerium hirtum · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (7 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Machaerium hirtum, scientifically known as Machaerium hirtum, is a climbing woody vine valued in traditional medicine. Native to tropical regions, this plant is frequently utilized for its potent bioactive compounds. Research focuses on its diverse therapeutic potential, particularly its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties in holistic healing practices.
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Native range
- Southern America
- Parts used
- Not available
- Common names
- Not available
- Scientific synonyms
- Nissolia Hirta · Machaerium Glabratum · 9 more
Names and Synonyms
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Machaerium hirtumSynonyms
- 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
Spanish:
- Tureque
- Tusequi
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.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Fabales |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Genus | Machaerium |
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.
| Region | Area |
|---|---|
| Central America | Panamá |
| Northern South America | Guyana |
| Northern South America | Venezuela |
| Western South America | Bolivia |
| Western South America | Colombia |
| Western South America | Peru |
| Brazil | Brazil West-Central |
| Brazil | Brazil Northeast |
| Brazil | Brazil Southeast |
| Brazil | Brazil North |
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.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| allantoin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
allantoin
- Biomolecules
Activities
Machaerium hirtum has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antinociceptive.
| Activity | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antinociceptive | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Antinociceptive
- 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.
| Condition | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Acute pain | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Inflammation | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cough | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diarrhea | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ulcers | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Acute pain
- Biomolecules
Inflammation
- Biomolecules
Cough
- Biomolecules
Diarrhea
- Biomolecules
Ulcers
- Biomolecules