guarana plant

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• guarana plant

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis
• Paullinia brasiliensis
• Paullinia sorbilis

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. Within the order Sapindales, it is classified under the family Sapindaceae and the genus Paullinia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to several regions across the South American continent. In Northern South America, its natural habitat includes Guyana and Venezuela. Moving toward the western part of the continent, it is widely distributed throughout Colombia. Its presence extends further south into the territory of Ecuador. Finally, the geographical range of this species reaches as far as Peru.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Paullinia cupana is characterized by its preference for specific forest structures within tropical ecosystems, primarily inhabiting riparian forests (Floresta Ciliar or Galeria) and terra firme forests (Floresta de Terra Firme). These environments provide the necessary shade, humidity, and soil composition required for its growth and development. In terms of altitudinal distribution, the species is typically found at low elevations, with a mean elevation of approximately 100 m AMSL (meters above sea level), positioning it within the lowland tropical landscapes of its native range.

Elevational range mean:

100 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme

Morphology

The morphology of Paullinia cupana is characterized by a woody, shrub-like growth form that functions as an obligatory climbing liana. Reaching a significant plant height with a mean of approximately 10 m, this species is a terrestrial plant rather than an aquatic or epiphytic one, maintaining an independent existence without parasitic behavior. Its structural development is defined by its woodiness, allowing it to ascend through forest environments as a robust climber.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Paullinia cupana is characterized by a complex metabolic framework optimized for high-energy storage and efficient nutrient cycling within its native tropical rainforest ecosystems. A primary physiological feature is its specialized seed structure, which serves as a concentrated repository for methylxanthines, most notably caffeine, alongside theobromine and theophylline, which function as potent metabolic stimulants. These alkaloids are synthesized through the purine pathway to serve as natural defense mechanisms against herbivory and pathogens. In terms of nutrient acquisition and soil interaction, the plant does not possess the physiological mechanisms required for symbiotic nitrogen fixation; specifically, it is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the decomposition of organic matter and the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its extensive root system rather than establishing symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria. Furthermore, its photosynthetic efficiency is tuned to the shaded understory, utilizing specialized light-harvesting complexes to manage energy production under fluctuating canopy light intensities.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Paullinia cupana is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying on living organisms to facilitate the transfer of pollen between flowers. This reproductive process is primarily mediated by insect vectors, which play a crucial role in the plant's sexual cycle. Specifically, the plant exhibits a specialized relationship with bees, which act as highly effective pollinators to ensure successful fertilization. By utilizing these biotic mechanisms, the species ensures genetic exchange through the targeted movement of pollen by these insect visitors.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Paullinia cupana has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Seed

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
2. Chemistry & biodiversity

Chemicals

Paullinia cupana has 34 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include caffeine, theobromine, Flavonoid, Saponins, Tannin.

caffeine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)
3. Genetics and molecular research : GMR
4. Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Journal of AOAC International

theobromine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Genetics and molecular research : GMR
3. Journal of AOAC International

Flavonoid

1. Plant cell reports
2. Mutation research

Saponins

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Tannin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Tannins

1. Genetics and molecular research : GMR
2. Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)

catechins

1. Genetics and molecular research : GMR
2. Journal of AOAC International

theophylline

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of AOAC International

(+)-catechin

1. Journal of AOAC International

(-)-Epicatechin

1. Journal of AOAC International

Activities

Paullinia cupana has 158 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hepatoprotective, Stimulant, (+)-Inotropic, Absorbent, Adenosine-Antagonist.

Hepatoprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. Drug and chemical toxicology

Stimulant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Genetics and molecular research : GMR

(+)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

Absorbent

1. Dr. Duke

Adenosine-Antagonist

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analeptic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic-Synergist

1. Dr. Duke

Anorexic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Paullinia cupana has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include DNA damage, attention, cognitive disorders, fatigue, lipid peroxidation.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations