Pouteria caimito

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range stretching across several distinct regions. In Central America, its presence is documented in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panamá. Moving toward the islands, it can also be found within the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago. Furthermore, its distribution extends into Northern South America, specifically in French Guiana. This wide-reaching pattern highlights the plant's adaptability across different tropical environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pouteria caimito is characterized by its adaptability to diverse environments, ranging from anthropized areas to more pristine ecosystems such as Seasonal Semi-deciduous Forests and Ombrophilous (Rainforest) Forests. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 1700 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range centered around 1110 m AMSL. Its ability to thrive in both disturbed human-impacted landscapes and stable, high-moisture forest habitats underscores its ecological versatility across varying topographical gradients.

Elevational range max:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1110 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Pouteria caimito is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain biological activity and structural presence over many years. As a phanerophyte, the plant allocates its vital organs high above the ground, typically developing into a woody tree structure where the buds are protected by branches. This growth habit is consistent with its classification as both a phanerophyte and a phanerophyte, emphasizing its tall, woody stature. Furthermore, the species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year without a regular seasonal shedding of leaves, providing a continuous photosynthetic surface to support its long-term life cycle.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pouteria caimito is characterized by its robust, woody growth form, primarily developing as a large tree. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies, and is strictly terrestrial in its habitat rather than being aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic. The plant exhibits a significant vertical presence, with an average height of approximately 15 meters, though it is capable of reaching a maximum height of up to 30 meters. Although it possesses a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a liana or vine, its physical stature and woody composition define its structural integrity within its ecosystem.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Pouteria caimito is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells. This metabolic process is typical of many tropical woody species, relying on the enzyme RuBisCO to facilitate carbon assimilation under standard environmental conditions. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it does not possess the specialized root nodules required for biological nitrogen fixation through symbiotic bacteria. Consequently, its nitrogen requirements are met through the uptake of inorganic nitrogenous compounds, such as nitrates and ammonium, from the surrounding soil matrix.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Pouteria caimito is characterized by specific reproductive traits that influence its propagation and dispersal. The plant is capable of self-fertilization, a trait that is present within its reproductive cycle. Its fruit is classified as fleshy, a characteristic that typically aids in animal-mediated seed dispersal. Regarding the seeds produced, they exhibit a highly consistent size profile, with a recorded seed volume that remains constant at a minimum, maximum, and mean value of 700 mm³.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed volume max:

700 mm³

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Pouteria caimito has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, CALCIUM, FAT, IRON, PHOSPHORUS.

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

PHOSPHORUS

1. Dr. Duke

ascorbic acid

1. Dr. Duke

beta-carotene

1. Dr. Duke

lysine

1. Dr. Duke

methionine

1. Dr. Duke

niacin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Pouteria caimito has 220 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic, Analgesic, Androgenic?.

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic?

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