Protium heptaphyllum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tingulonga heptaphylla
• Icica heptaphylla
• Elaphrium heptaphyllum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Protium heptaphyllum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Sapindales. Finally, it is a member of the family Burseraceae and falls under the genus Protium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Protium heptaphyllum, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several tropical regions. It can be found throughout various parts of Northern South America, including Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname. Additionally, the species extends its range into French Guiana. Beyond the mainland, its presence is also recorded within the Caribbean, specifically in Trinidad and Tobago. Together, these locations define the natural habitat where this medicinal plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Protium heptaphyllum is characterized by its occurrence in high forest environments, specifically within the habitat known as Bosque alto. This species thrives across a broad altitudinal gradient, establishing itself at elevations ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum height of 600 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Bosque alto

Life history

The life history of Protium heptaphyllum is characterized by its classification as a perennial organism, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem across multiple years. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated woody stems, a life form that can be further specified as a phanerophyte to describe its structural growth habit. This species maintains a consistent presence within its habitat due to its evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Protium heptaphyllum is characterized by a woody growth form that primarily manifests as a tree, though it can also exhibit shrub-like qualities. As a terrestrial organism, it is non-aquatic and functions as an independent species rather than a parasite. The plant is self-supporting, meaning it lacks climbing mechanisms such as being a liana or vine, and it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, remaining strictly terrestrial. In terms of stature, it reaches significant dimensions, with an average plant height of approximately 15 m and a maximum height that can extend up to 20 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Protium heptaphyllum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, reflecting its metabolic strategy for carbon fixation. The plant exhibits significant morphological traits related to its vegetative structure, including a mean leaf size of 244.099 cm² and a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 103.507 cm²/g, which indicates its leaf thickness and resource allocation strategies. Structural integrity is supported by a stem specific density (SSD) with a mean value of 610 mg/cm³. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on available soil nitrogen rather than symbiotic nitrogen-fixing processes.

Leaf size mean:

244.099 cm²

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

103.507 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

610 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Protium heptaphyllum is characterized by a specialized reproductive strategy that relies on cross-pollination, as self-fertilization is notably absent. The plant produces fruits that fall into a non-standard category outside the common botanical classifications provided, with an average fruit length and width both measuring approximately 2.5 cm. The dispersal of its offspring follows a zoochorous syndrome, meaning the seeds are spread via animals. The seeds themselves are highly consistent in size and weight, exhibiting a mean seed mass of 0.11661 g (with minimum and maximum values also at 0.11661 g) and a mean seed length of 12.841 mm. Furthermore, the seed volume remains constant at a value of 690 mm³, reflecting a highly uniform seed morphology within the species.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit length mean:

2.5 cm

Fruit type :

other

Fruit width mean:

2.5 cm

Seed length mean:

12.841 mm

Seed mass mean:

0.11661 g

Seed volume max:

690 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Protium heptaphyllum has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cellulase, Dillapiol, LIMONENE, Oleoresin, P-CYMENE.

Cellulase

1. Protoplasma

Dillapiol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

LIMONENE

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Oleoresin

1. Protoplasma

P-CYMENE

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Pectinase

1. Protoplasma

Sesquiterpenes

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

alpha-TERPINEOL

1. Life sciences

alpha-Terpinolene

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

p-cimen-8-ol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Protium heptaphyllum has 7 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antihypertensive, Cytostatic, Gastroprotective.

Antibacterial

1. Brazilian journal of microbiology : [publication of the Brazilian Society for Microbiology]

Antifungal

1. Brazilian journal of microbiology : [publication of the Brazilian Society for Microbiology]

Antihypertensive

1. Life sciences

Cytostatic

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Gastroprotective

1. Pharmacological research

Hepatoprotective

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Vasorelaxant

1. Life sciences

Medicinal Uses

Protium heptaphyllum has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cardiovascular diseases, gastric ulcer, gastrointestinal disorders, infectious diseases, inflammation.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations