Pterocarpus rohrii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range stretching from North to Central America. In Mexico, its distribution is widespread, covering the Gulf region, the Southwest, and the Southeast. Moving further south, the species can also be found throughout parts of Central America. Specifically, it inhabits the landscapes of Belize within this tropical corridor. Finally, its documented presence extends to the country of Costa Rica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pterocarpus rohrii is characterized by a wide adaptability to various forest formations and a broad altitudinal distribution. It thrives in diverse environments, including riparian forests (Floresta Ciliar or Galeria), terra firme forests (Floresta de Terra Firme), seasonal semi-deciduous forests (Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual), ombrophilous or rainforest habitats (Floresta Ombrófila/Pluvial), and coastal restinga ecosystems. This species occupies an elevational range that extends from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 1000 m AMSL, demonstrating its capacity to persist across both lowland coastal areas and higher forest elevations.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga

Life history

The life history of Pterocarpus rohrii is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a long-term presence in its ecosystem. Throughout its existence, the species maintains an evergreen habit, retaining its foliage year-round rather than shedding it seasonally. This combination of a perennial lifecycle and evergreen deciduousness ensures consistent photosynthetic activity and structural stability over time.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pterocarpus rohrii is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a tree. It is a terrestrial species that functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte. In terms of its physical stature, the plant exhibits significant vertical growth, with an average height of approximately 11 m and the potential to reach a maximum height of up to 30 m. Although it possesses a self-supporting structure rather than functioning as a liana or vine, its developmental habit is firmly rooted in a terrestrial environment.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

11 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Pterocarpus rohrii is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy for efficient carbon fixation under specific environmental conditions. The plant exhibits a consistent leaf dry matter content (LDMC) with a mean, minimum, and maximum value of 400.2 mg/g, indicating a uniform structural investment in leaf tissues. Its leaf morphology is defined by a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 104 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf thickness and resource allocation strategy. Furthermore, the plant possesses a stem specific density (SSD) of 670 mg/cm³, which contributes to its structural integrity and mechanical properties. Notably, Pterocarpus rohrii functions as a nitrogen fixer, a physiological trait that allows it to enhance soil fertility and sustain growth through symbiotic nitrogen fixation.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

400.2 mg/g

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

104 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

670 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Pterocarpus rohrii is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily driven by insects to facilitate fertilization. The seeds produced by this species exhibit significant morphological variation, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 15 mm to a maximum of 30 mm. In terms of weight, the seed mass is quite variable, ranging from a minimum of 0.073 g to a maximum of 0.337 g, with an average seed mass of approximately 0.1784 g. Following successful fertilization, the plant utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning the seeds are dispersed via wind to colonize new areas.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

30 mm

Seed length min:

15 mm

Seed mass max:

0.337 g

Seed mass mean:

0.1784 g

Seed mass min:

0.073 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Pterocarpus rohrii 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 stem.

Stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Pterocarpus rohrii has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Ethanol extracts of stem barks.

Ethanol extracts of stem barks

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology