Melicoccus oliviformis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Talisia oliviformis
• Stadtmannia oliviformis

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 and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is placed in the order Sapindales and the family Sapindaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Melicoccus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several key regions within Mexico, including the Gulf, the Southwest, and the Southeast. Beyond the borders of Mexico, its presence extends into the diverse landscapes of Central America. Specifically, it can be found growing within the tropical environments of Belize. Additionally, its geographical range reaches further south into the country of Costa Rica. Together, these locations define the natural habitat where this medicinal species thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Melicoccus oliviformis is characterized by its adaptation to the diverse environmental conditions found within the Cerrado (latu sensu) biome. This species occupies a broad altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 800 m AMSL. By thriving across this elevational range, the plant demonstrates a capacity to inhabit varied topographical settings within its primary habitat, integrating into the complex structural and biological matrices of the Brazilian savanna ecosystem.

Elevational range max:

800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu)

Life history

The life history of Melicoccus oliviformis is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a stable presence within its ecosystem. Throughout its lifespan, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and present year-round rather than undergoing a seasonal shedding process. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and continuous leaf retention enables the species to maintain consistent photosynthetic activity and structural stability over time.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Melicoccus oliviformis is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, which exhibits a significant growth range with a mean height of approximately 10 m and can reach a maximum height of up to 35 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not function as an aquatic or semiaquatic plant, nor does it exist as an epiphyte in any form, such as a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte. The plant is strictly self-supporting in its growth habit, meaning it does not act as a liana, vine, or any other type of climber. Furthermore, it is an independent organism that does not exhibit parasitic behavior, maintaining its own structural integrity through its woody composition.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

35 m

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Melicooccus oliviformis is characterized by its metabolic processes and nutrient acquisition strategies typical of members of the Anacardiaceae family. Its physiological framework involves complex photosynthetic pathways to support growth in tropical environments, alongside specialized secondary metabolic pathways that produce bioactive compounds. Regarding its interaction with soil nutrients, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its nitrogen acquisition is entirely dependent on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium present in the soil through its root system. This dependency dictates its nutritional requirements and its ecological role in nutrient cycling within its natural habitat.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Melicoccus oliviformis is characterized by a specific dispersal strategy and distinct seed morphology. The plant utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to facilitate the movement and distribution of its seeds within its environment. In terms of seed characteristics, the species exhibits a highly consistent seed volume, with both the minimum and maximum recorded values, as well as the mean volume, reaching exactly 1800 mm³. This uniformity in seed size suggests a specialized evolutionary trait within its reproductive cycle.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Seed volume max:

1800 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Melicoccus oliviformis has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial.

Antimicrobial

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Melicoccus oliviformis has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Plant extracts.

Plant extracts

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)