Pouteria torta

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across various regions of the South American continent. In Western South America, it can be found growing within the territories of Bolivia and Peru. Its presence extends significantly into Brazil, where it inhabits multiple diverse environmental zones. Specifically, the species is documented throughout the West-Central, Northeast, and Southeast regions of Brazil. Consequently, its geographical range spans from the western Andean reaches to the expansive central and eastern reaches of the Brazilian landscape.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pouteria torta is characterized by its adaptability to diverse topographical gradients, spanning an elevational range from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 2440 m AMSL. This species thrives in specific environmental niches, particularly within the bosque bajo (low forest) located on saturated soils, as well as within the cerrado ecosystems. Its ability to inhabit both water-logged substrates and the seasonal vegetation of the cerrado highlights its resilience across varying hydrological and soil conditions within its native range.

Elevational range max:

2440 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Bosque bajo on saturated soil, cerrado

Life history

The life history of Pouteria torta is characterized by its existence as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem over many years. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural strategy that helps it navigate its specific environmental niche. This plant exhibits a deciduous nature, meaning it undergoes a seasonal shedding of its foliage.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pouteria torta is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as either a tree or a shrub. It is a terrestrial plant that functions independently, as it is not a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of its structural development, it is classified as a self-supporting climber, though it can also exhibit a self-supporting habit without being an obligatory vine or liana. The plant reaches significant vertical proportions, with a mean height of approximately 12 meters and a maximum potential height of up to 35 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

35 m

Plant height mean:

12 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Pouteria torta is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle without the specialized anatomical adaptations seen in C4 or CAM plants. Furthermore, this 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, relying instead on the availability of nitrates and ammonium within the soil for its nutritional requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Pouteria torta is characterized by a dispersal syndrome that is primarily zoochorous, though it may also exhibit traits associated with anemochorous, autochorous, hydrochorous, or unspecialized dispersal mechanisms. The plant produces fleshy fruits, which facilitate the movement of seeds through animal vectors. The seeds themselves vary significantly in size, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 15 mm to a maximum of 100 mm. Regarding their spatial displacement, the seeds maintain a consistent volume of 4700 mm³, representing both the minimum, maximum, and mean seed volume.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed length max:

100 mm

Seed length min:

15 mm

Seed volume max:

4700 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Pouteria torta has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include betulinic acid.

betulinic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Pouteria torta has 18 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Anticarcinomic.

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiedemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antileukemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antimalarial

1. Dr. Duke

Antimelanomic

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations