Sarcomphalus joazeiro

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ziziphus gardneri
• Ziziphus joazeiro

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Sarcomphalus joazeiro, belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, falling specifically within the order Rosales. Ultimately, its taxonomic lineage places it in the family Rhamnaceae and the genus Sarcomphalus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical presence across several regions of the Americas. In Central America, its distribution can be found within the country of Honduras. Moving to Western South America, it is located in Bolivia, while it also occupies the Northeast region of Brazil. The species extends into Southern South America, specifically covering the Northeast area of Argentina. Finally, its range continues southward to include the nation of Paraguay.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Sarcomphalus joazeiro is characterized by its occurrence within the Caatinga (stricto sensu) biome, where it adapts to the semi-arid conditions typical of this region. This species thrives across a specific altitudinal gradient, occupying an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum of 500 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu)

Life history

The life history of Sarcomphalus joazeiro is characterized by its long-lived nature as a perennial plant, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its photosynthetic organs are elevated well above the ground on woody stems, a life form that is consistently maintained through its status as an evergreen species. Because it does not shed its foliage seasonally, the plant maintains a constant green canopy, providing structural stability and continuous physiological activity throughout its life cycle.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Sarcomphalus joazeiro is characterized by its woody structure and diverse growth forms, ranging from a shrub to a substantial tree. As a terrestrial species, it is an independent organism that does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, vine, or liana. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant vertical development, with an average plant height of approximately 10 m and a maximum height that can reach up to 15 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Sarcomphalus joazeiro is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in its native environment. The plant exhibits a stem specific density (SSD) with a mean value of 700 mg/cm³, reflecting its structural tissue composition and wood density. Its leaf morphology is defined by a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 57.2 cm²/g, providing insight into its leaf thickness and resource investment strategies. Additionally, Sarcomphalus joazeiro is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic mechanisms required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

57.2 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

700 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Sarcomphalus joazeiro is characterized by the production of fleshy drupes that serve as the primary dispersal units. These fruits are consistently measured at a length of 1.8 cm, with both the minimum, maximum, and mean values remaining stable at this dimension. As indehiscent structures, the fruits do not split open at maturity to release their contents; instead, they maintain a fleshy texture that facilitates a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to aid in the movement of the seeds. The seeds contained within these drupes are uniform in size, possessing a consistent volume of 280 mm³, which is reflected in the minimum, maximum, and mean seed volume measurements.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

1.8 cm

Fruit type :

drupe

Seed volume max:

280 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Sarcomphalus joazeiro 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

Sarcomphalus joazeiro has 22 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Anticancer, Anticarcinomic.

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Food chemistry

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiedemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifungal

1. Food chemistry

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antileukemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antimalarial

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations