Persea major

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Laurus cordata
• Persea pyrifolia var. major
• Persea cordata var. major
• Mutisiopersea major

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Laurales and the family Lauraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Persea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad presence across several key regions within the country of Brazil. It is widely distributed throughout the Northeast region, where it adapts to local environmental conditions. Furthermore, the species can be found extensively throughout the Southeast of Brazil. Its range also extends significantly into the southern part of the country. Overall, these patterns confirm that the plant is well-established across multiple Brazilian territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Persea major is characterized by its presence across diverse Brazilian biomes, demonstrating a significant capacity for adaptation to varying moisture regimes and vegetation structures. It is commonly found inhabiting the Cerrado (latu sensu), where it must contend with more seasonal water availability and distinct dry periods, as well as within the Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual, where its growth patterns align with the seasonal shedding of leaves. Furthermore, its distribution extends into the more humid and stable environments of the Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial), where high precipitation and consistent moisture levels support its physiological requirements. This broad ecological range allows the species to occupy multiple successional stages and environmental niches, ranging from more open, fire-adapted landscapes to dense, closed-canopy tropical rainforests.

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Morphology

The morphology of Persea major is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, reaching a maximum plant height of 16 m. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic nature, and maintains a terrestrial lifestyle rather than being aquatic or semiaquatic. As a self-supporting species, it does not exhibit climbing behaviors such as liana or vine growth, nor does it function as an obligatory or facultative climber. Furthermore, the plant is strictly terrestrial, showing no epiphytic tendencies such as holoepiphytic, hemiepiphytic, or facultative epiphytic growth.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

16 m

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Persea major has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Majorenolide, Majorynolide.

Majorenolide

1. Journal of natural products

Majorynolide

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Persea major has 3 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiulcer, Cytotoxic, Gastroprotective.

Antiulcer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of natural products

Gastroprotective

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Persea major has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Enterococcus faecalis, analgesic, gastric ulcer, ulcers, wound healing.

Enterococcus faecalis

1. BMC research notes

Analgesic

1. BMC research notes

Gastric ulcer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ulcers

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Wound healing

1. BMC research notes

Wounds

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Persea major has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include EtOH extract of the bark.

Etoh extract of the bark

1. Journal of natural products