Pilocarpus jaborandi

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pilocarpus cearensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, situated within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified under the order Sapindales and the family Rutaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Pilocarpus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found within the specific regional boundaries of South America. Its documented presence is concentrated in the country of Brazil. Within this nation, the species is specifically located in the Northeast region. This localized distribution suggests that the plant thrives under the unique environmental conditions of these areas. Consequently, the geographical range of Pilocarpus jaborandi remains quite restricted to these particular territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pilocarpus jaboranandi is fundamentally defined by its preference for the humid, high-moisture environments characteristic of the Floresta Ombrófila, also known as the tropical rainforest or pluvial forest. Within these dense ecosystems, the species thrives under conditions of high precipitation and consistent humidity, which are essential for its physiological processes and life cycle. The complex vertical structure of the rainforest provides a diverse range of microhabitats, where the plant must compete for light availability and nutrient cycling within the rich, organic layers of the forest floor. Its survival is intrinsically linked to the stability of this moisture-saturated biome, relying on the frequent rainfall and the dense canopy cover to maintain the specific thermic and hygrometric conditions required for its natural growth and distribution.

Habitat :

Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Pilarocarpus jaboranadi is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a stable presence within its native habitat. Throughout its development, it maintains an evergreen status, retaining its foliage year-round rather than shedding it seasonally. This continuous leaf presence supports steady metabolic processes and long-term survival, contributing to its robust life cycle within its ecological niche.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pilocarpus jaboranandi is characterized by a woody growth form that primarily manifests as a shrub or a small tree. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently without being an epiphyte or a parasite, functioning as a self-supporting organism. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant vertical development, with an average height of approximately 5 m and the capacity to reach a maximum height of up to 8 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

8 m

Plant height mean:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Pilocarpus jaboranadi is characterized by specialized secondary metabolic pathways focused on the biosynthesis of pilocarpine, an alkaloid derived from the amino acid L-histidine. The plant's metabolic processes are primarily geared toward chemical defense and environmental adaptation within its native Brazilian Atlantic Forest habitats. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships, the species does not possess the physiological mechanisms required for atmospheric nitrogen assimilation through symbiotic bacteria; therefore, it is not a nitrogen fixer. Consequently, its growth and development are heavily dependent on the availability of nitrates and ammonium ions within the soil substrate rather than biological nitrogen fixation. The plant's physiological efficiency is closely tied to its ability to regulate osmotic pressure and manage the energy costs associated with the continuous production of nitrogenous alkaloids.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Pilocarpus jaborandi has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include pilocarpine, 2-Undecanone, ALPHA-PINENE, EO, LIMONENE.

pilocarpine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

2-Undecanone

1. Dr. Duke

ALPHA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

EO

1. Dr. Duke

LIMONENE

1. Dr. Duke

MYRCENE

1. Dr. Duke

Pilocarpidine

1. Dr. Duke

Sandaracopimaradiene

1. Dr. Duke

Vinyl dodecanoate

1. Dr. Duke

isopilocarpine

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Pilocarpus jaborandi has 98 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include ACE-Inhibitor, AChE-Inhibitor, Acaricide, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allelochemic.

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AChE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alzheimerigenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiacetylcholinesterase

1. Dr. Duke