brazilwood

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• brazilwood
• pernambuco-wood
• peachwood
• Pernambuco wood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Guilandina echinata
• Caesalpinia obliqua
• Caesalpinia echinata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified within the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, its taxonomic designation is completed by the genus Paubrasilia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Paubrasilia echinata, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across the Atlantic regions. Within the Caribbean, its presence can be found in Cuba as well as in Trinidad and Tobago. Its primary habitat is located within Brazil, where it is naturally occurring in the Northeast region. Additionally, the species is distributed throughout the Southeast part of Brazil. This pattern highlights its importance as a native flora within these specific tropical territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Paubrasilia echinata is characterized by its presence in diverse and specific Brazilian ecosystems, ranging from moist to seasonally dry environments. It is primarily found within the Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, where it adapts to fluctuations in water availability, as well as in the Floresta Ombrófila (Pluvial), where it thrives under more consistent and high rainfall conditions. Additionally, the species occupies the Restinga habitats, occupying the sandy, coastal ecosystems that require specific adaptations to nutrient-poor soils and salt spray. This broad distribution across varied forest structures and coastal formations highlights its ability to integrate into different ecological niches within the Atlantic Forest biome.

Habitat :

Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga

Life history

The life history of Paubrasilia echinata is characterized by its status as a perennial species, meaning it lives for many years and undergoes multiple reproductive cycles throughout its long lifespan. As an evergreen plant, it maintains its foliage throughout the year, providing a consistent canopy that does not shed all its leaves seasonally. This combination of a long-lived perennial lifecycle and evergreen habit allows the plant to establish a stable presence in its natural habitat, continuously contributing to the ecosystem over several decades.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Paubrasilia echinata is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically existing as a self-supporting tree. It reaches an average plant height of approximately 10 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial life habit. The plant is an independent organism, lacking any parasitic behavior, and is categorized as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber, liana, or vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Paubrasilia echinata is characterized by a metabolic framework that utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which is typical for many woody species inhabiting seasonal tropical environments. This carbon fixation strategy involves the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate by the enzyme RuBisCO, facilitating biomass accumulation through standard atmospheric CO2 uptake. Additionally, the plant exhibits a specialized relationship with nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, as it is a nitrogen fixer, allowing it to enhance its nutrient acquisition and thrive in various soil conditions by converting atmospheric nitrogen into biologically available forms.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Paubrasilia echinata is characterized by a complex biotic pollination syndrome, relying heavily on living organisms to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The primary mechanism for successful fertilization involves biotic interactions, specifically through insect-mediated processes. Within this framework, bees play a critical role as specialized pollinators, contributing significantly to the reproductive success of the species. This reliance on animal vectors, particularly insects and bees, ensures the genetic exchange necessary for the plant's lifecycle, distinguishing its reproductive strategy from abiotic methods such as wind or water.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Paubrasilia echinata has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Brazilin, Protosappanin A, Protosappanin B, Protosappanin C, Protosappanin D.

Brazilin

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Protosappanin A

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Protosappanin B

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Protosappanin C

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Protosappanin D

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Sappanchalcone

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

protosappanin E

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Conditions

Paubrasilia echinata has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include inflammation.

Inflammation

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin