Pseudosamanea guachapele

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Albizia guachapele
• Acacia guachapele
• Pithecellobium samaningua
• Lysiloma guachapele
• Pithecellobium guachapele
• Albizia longepedata
• Pithecellobium longepedatum
• Samanea samaningua

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Pseudosamanea, with the species name guachapele.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning several regions across North and Central America. Within Mexico, its presence is noted in the Gulf regions, the Southwest, and the Southeast. Its distribution extends southward into Central America, where it can be found in Belize. Additionally, the species is recorded as inhabiting the tropical landscapes of Costa Rica. Together, these locations highlight a broad habitat spanning from Mexican coasts to Central American forests.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pseudosamanea guachapele is characterized by its ability to inhabit a broad vertical distribution within its native landscape, spanning a diverse range of altitudinal gradients. This species thrives across an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends upward to a maximum altitude of 1500 m AMSL. This wide environmental tolerance suggests that the plant is capable of adapting to varying climatic conditions, ranging from the warmer, more humid lowland environments to the potentially cooler, temperate conditions found in mid-elevation montane zones. Such a broad ecological niche allows the species to occupy a variety of microhabitats and soil profiles throughout its range.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Pseudosamanea guachapele is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its environment across multiple growing seasons. Unlike annuals that complete their life cycle in a single year or biennials that require two, this species maintains a long-term presence, often undergoing variable growth patterns depending on environmental stability and resource availability. This perennial nature enables the plant to establish robust root systems and accumulate energy reserves, facilitating survival through unfavorable conditions and supporting repeated reproductive cycles over an extended lifespan.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pseudosamanea guachapele is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically categorized as a tree. It functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite and is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, lacking any epiphytic or aquatic tendencies. In terms of its physical structure, the plant is self-supporting, neither acting as an obligatory nor a facultative climber, such as a liana or vine. The stature of the species is significant, with a plant height that reaches a maximum of 10 m and a mean height of approximately 15 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Pseudo samanea guachapele is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process and metabolic efficiency under varying environmental conditions. In addition to its carbon assimilation strategy, the plant exhibits specialized nitrogen metabolism through its ability to function as a nitrogen fixer. This capacity for biological nitrogen fixation allows the species to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, enhancing its nutrient acquisition and supporting growth in nitrogen-limited ecological niches.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Pseudosamanea guachapelle is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying primarily on insect vectors to facilitate the transfer of pollen. This reproductive strategy ensures genetic diversity through animal-mediated pollination, distinguishing it from abiotic methods like wind or water. The plant produces seeds with a relatively small mass, exhibiting a mean seed mass of approximately 0.03396375 g. Individual seed weights show slight variation, ranging from a minimum of 0.03 g to a maximum of 0.0475 g, which contributes to the overall seed dispersal dynamics of the species.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.0475 g

Seed mass mean:

0.03396375 g

Seed mass min:

0.03 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Pseudosamanea guachapele has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Archiv der Pharmazie

Chemicals

Pseudosamanea guachapele has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Saponins.

Flavonoids

1. Archiv der Pharmazie

Saponins

1. Archiv der Pharmazie

Preparations

Pseudosamanea guachapele has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves.

Leaves

1. Archiv der Pharmazie