bacury

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• bacury
• pakoori

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Platonia insignis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Malpighiales. Finally, it is classified under the family Clusiaceae within the genus Platonia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the tropical regions of Northern South America. Its natural habitat extends through the territories of French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. Additionally, the species can be found growing within the borders of Venezuela. The geographical range also reaches into Western South America, specifically within Colombia. Together, these locations define the specific environmental niche where this medicinal species thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Platonia insignis is characterized by its presence across a diverse range of Brazilian ecosystems, including Campinarana, Cerrado (latu sensu), Floresta de Terra Firme, and Floresta Estacional Semidecidual. This species demonstrates significant adaptability to varying landscapes, thriving within an elevational gradient that begins at 120 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 600 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

120 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campinarana, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual

Life history

The life history of Platonia insignis is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. Throughout its developmental stages, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that it retains its foliage year-round rather than undergoing seasonal leaf shedding.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Platonia insignis is characterized by a robust, woody growth form, specifically classified as a tree. This species is a self-supporting, terrestrial plant that does not function as a climber or an epiphyte, maintaining an independent life cycle without parasitic or hemi-epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, it is a substantial specimen, reaching an average plant height of 25 m, with the potential to attain a maximum height of up to 40 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

40 m

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Platonia insignis is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, a process in which carbon dioxide is fixed directly through the Calvin cycle without the specialized anatomical adaptations found in C4 or CAM species. This metabolic route dictates its reliance on specific environmental conditions, such as moisture availability and light intensity, to maintain efficient gas exchange and sugar production. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, and must instead rely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium present in the soil substrate to meet its nutritional requirements for growth and development.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Platonia insignis involves a complex dispersal strategy characterized by multiple mechanisms to ensure seed distribution across its habitat. The plant exhibits a diverse range of dispersal syndromes, functioning as an unspecialized spreader that utilizes anemochorous, autochorous, and hydrochorous methods. However, it is primarily classified as zoochorous, meaning it relies heavily on animals to facilitate the movement of its seeds. This combination of traits allows the species to exploit various environmental vectors, utilizing wind, water, self-dispersal, and animal interaction to maximize its reproductive success and colonization potential.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Platonia insignis has 2 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, stem.

Seed

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Stem

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Chemicals

Platonia insignis has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include garcinielliptone FC, Ash, CALCIUM, FAT, IRON.

garcinielliptone FC

1. Natural product research
2. Pharmaceutical biology

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

Lupeol

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

PHOSPHORUS

1. Dr. Duke

ascorbic acid

1. Dr. Duke

niacin

1. Dr. Duke

riboflavin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Platonia insignis has 175 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic, Analgesic.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutical biology

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

AntiAGE

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCFS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCTS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCrohn's

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Platonia insignis has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Leishmaniasis.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations