Piscidia piscipula

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution that spans across several distinct regions. Within the North-Central Pacific, it can be found growing in Hawaii. Its range also extends to the Southeastern United States, specifically within the state of Florida. In North America, the species is well-established across various parts of Mexico, including the central and northeastern territories. Additionally, the plant is documented to inhabit the coastal areas of the Mexico Gulf region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Piscidia piscipula is characterized by its adaptation to diverse tropical and subtropical landscapes, primarily thriving within a broad altitudinal gradient. This species is found across an elevational range that extends from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 1000 m AMSL. It typically inhabits moist forest environments, often occurring in riparian zones, seasonal forests, or disturbed woodland areas where soil moisture is relatively consistent. The plant's ability to occupy such a wide vertical range suggests a high degree of ecological plasticity, allowing it to persist in both lowland coastal regions and higher-altitude montane fringes. Its distribution is closely tied to the availability of light and the specific hydrological patterns of its habitat, playing a functional role in the structural complexity of its native ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Piscidia piscipula is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a long-term presence within its ecosystem. As part of its seasonal adaptation, the plant exhibits a deciduous habit, shedding its foliage periodically, typically in response to seasonal environmental changes or dry periods. This cycle of growth and dormancy allows the plant to conserve resources and manage its physiological processes over its extended lifespan.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Piscidia piscipula is characterized by a woody growth habit, functioning primarily as a tree or shrub. This species is a self-supporting plant, lacking the climbing mechanisms of a liana or vine, and is classified as an independent organism rather than a parasite. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, such as being a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte, and is neither aquatic nor semiaquatic. In terms of stature, the plant can reach a significant height, with a recorded mean height of approximately 12.62 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

12.62 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Piscidia piscipula is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a carbon fixation process typical of many woody tropical species. The plant's structural investment is reflected in its stem specific density (SSD), which maintains a consistent value of 590 mg/cm³ across its minimum, mean, and maximum measurements. In terms of leaf morphology and resource allocation, the species exhibits a specific leaf area (SLA) of 91.44 cm²/g, a value that remains uniform across its minimum, mean, and maximum recorded parameters. Furthermore, the leaf dry matter content (LDMC) is consistently measured at 327.5 mg/g, showing no variation between its minimum, mean, and maximum values. Notably, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on existing soil nutrient availability for its metabolic requirements.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

327.5 mg/g

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

91.44 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) min:

590 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Piscidia piscipula is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily driven by insects, with bees playing a significant role in the transfer of pollen. Following successful fertilization, the plant utilizes an autochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning the seeds are dispersed through mechanisms inherent to the plant itself. The resulting seeds are highly uniform in size, maintaining a consistent seed length of 4.308 mm, with no variation observed between the minimum and maximum recorded measurements.

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length mean:

4.308 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Piscidia piscipula has 21 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3',5'-Diprenylgenistein, BETA-SITOSTEROL, Dehydromillettone, Ichthynone, Isomillettone.

3',5'-Diprenylgenistein

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

Dehydromillettone

1. Dr. Duke

Ichthynone

1. Dr. Duke

Isomillettone

1. Dr. Duke

Jamaicin

1. Dr. Duke

Lisetin

1. Dr. Duke

Millettone

1. Dr. Duke

Piscerythrone

1. Dr. Duke

Piscidic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Piscidia piscipula has 120 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Acaricide, Acetylcholinergic, Additive, Allergenic.

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Acetylcholinergic

1. Dr. Duke

Additive

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Amylase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anorexic

1. Dr. Duke

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations

Piscidia piscipula has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extract.

Extract

1. Rivista di neurologia