Mammea americana
Mamey apple
Mammea americana, commonly known as the Brazil nutmeg, is a tropical tree native to the Caribbean and South America. Renowned for its large, edible seeds, this plant holds significant ethnobotanical value. Beyond culinary uses, various parts of the tree are utilized in traditional medicine for their diverse therapeutic properties.
- Scientific name: Mammea americana
- Family: Calophyllaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Mammea americana, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Malpighiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Calophyllaceae and is situated within the genus Mammea.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Calophyllaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Mammea | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Mammea americana, is referred to by various common names depending on the language and region. In Portuguese, it is called Abricó-do-pará, while in German, it is known as Mammiapfel. In Slovenian, the name used is Mameja, and in Polish, it is called Mamea amerykańska. Additionally, in French, it is commonly referred to as Abricotier des Antilles.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pt | Abricó-do-pará | Wikidata |
| de | Mammiapfel | Wikidata |
| sl | Mameja | Wikidata |
| pl | Mamea amerykańska | Wikidata |
| fr | Abricotier des Antilles | Wikidata |
| ru | Маммея американская | Wikidata |
| sv | Mamey | Wikidata |
| nl | Amerikaanse mammi-appel | Wikidata |
| zh | 馬米杏 | Wikidata |
| fa | مامئا امریکنا | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide and diverse geographical distribution across several different global regions. In West Tropical Africa, it can be found specifically within the country of Guinea. Its presence extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, where it grows in the DR Congo. Moving to the Pacific islands, it is located in the Society Islands of the South-Central region and the Caroline Islands of the Northwest. Finally, its range reaches the Southeastern United States, specifically within the state of Florida.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| South-Central Pacific | Society Is. | WCVP |
| Northwestern Pacific | Caroline Is. | WCVP |
| Southeastern U.S.A. | Florida | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Gulf | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southeast | WCVP |
| Central America | El Salvador | WCVP |
| Central America | Guatemala | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Mammea americana, utilizes various components that contribute to its overall biological structure and potential medicinal properties. The large, leathery leaves serve as the primary site for photosynthesis, providing the energy necessary for the tree's growth. Supporting these leaves are sturdy, woody stems that form the trunk and branches, ensuring stability and the efficient transport of nutrients throughout the organism. Finally, the plant produces large, fleshy fruits containing several seeds, which function as the reproductive units responsible for ensuring the next generation of the species.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 5
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Mammea americana has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 19-hydroxy-13-epimanoyl oxide, carboxylic acids, coumarins, esters, flavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 19-hydroxy-13-epimanoyl oxide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| carboxylic acids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| coumarins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| esters | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| nerolidol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sesquiterpenes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| steroids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Mammea americana has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Tonic.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tonic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Mammea americana has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Staphylococcus aureus, gallstones, gastric ulcer, gastrointestinal disorders.
- Total uses
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Mycobacterium tuberculosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gallstones | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastric ulcer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastrointestinal disorders | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |