Parkia discolor

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Parkia auriculata

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across specific regions of the South American continent. In Northern South America, its presence is noted within the borders of Venezuela. Moving toward the western part of the continent, the species can also be found in Colombia. Within the vast territory of Brazil, its distribution is concentrated in the northern region. Together, these locations define the natural geographical range of Parkia discolor.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Parkia discolor is defined by its presence in diverse and specialized wetland and nutrient-poor ecosystems, specifically inhabiting Campinarana, Campo de Várzea, Floresta de Igapó, and Floresta de Várzea. This species demonstrates significant adaptability to varying hydrological conditions, ranging from seasonally flooded areas to specialized sandy white-sand habitats. Its vertical distribution is restricted to a specific altitudinal belt, thriving at elevations starting from a minimum of 250 m AMSL and reaching an upper limit of 1000 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

250 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campinarana, Campo de Várzea, Floresta de Igapó, Floresta de Várzea

Life history

The life history of Parkia discolor is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain a long-term presence within its ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. Throughout its development, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and present year-round rather than shedding seasonally. This combination of a perennial lifecycle and evergreen nature supports a continuous vegetative state, providing a stable structural component to its habitat over many years.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Parkia discolor is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, reaching an average height of 12.5 m with a maximum potential height of up to 15 m. As a self-supporting plant, it does not exhibit climbing habits such as liana or vine growth, nor does it function as an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. It is an independent organism that does not act as a parasite, relying on its own physiological processes for growth. The structural composition is primarily defined by its woody nature, which supports its substantial upright growth form within its terrestrial habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

12.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Parkia discolor is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle without the specialized spatial or temporal separation seen in C4 or CAM plants. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Parkia discolor is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, indicating a heavy reliance on living organisms to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Specifically, the plant utilizes insect pollination to ensure successful fertilization. Regarding its reproductive output, the species produces seeds with a highly consistent mass; the seed mass is uniform across the population, with a recorded mean, maximum, and minimum value of 0.284 g.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

0.284 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Parkia discolor 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 seed.

Seed

1. Preparative biochemistry & biotechnology

Chemicals

Parkia discolor has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Lectin, cysteine, glycine, proline.

Lectin

1. Preparative biochemistry & biotechnology

cysteine

1. Preparative biochemistry & biotechnology

glycine

1. Preparative biochemistry & biotechnology

proline

1. Preparative biochemistry & biotechnology

Preparations

Parkia discolor has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include seeds.

Seeds

1. Preparative biochemistry & biotechnology