Schinopsis brasiliensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Schinopsis brasiliensis var. glabra
• Schinopsis glabra

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Sapindales, it falls under the family Anacardiaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Schinopsis, and its species name, Schinopsis brasiliensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several regions of the South American continent. In Western South America, its presence is specifically noted within the borders of Bolivia. Within Brazil, it can be found across various territories, including the West-Central, Northeast, and Southeast regions. Furthermore, the species extends into Southern South America, where it is located in Paraguay. This wide range demonstrates the plant's adaptability to diverse ecological zones across the region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Schinusopsis brasiliensis is characterized by its adaptation to specific semi-arid and seasonal biomes, primarily occupying the Caatinga (strictu sensu) and the Cerrado (lato sensu) habitats. This species thrives within a relatively low-lying altitudinal gradient, spanning an elevational range from 0 m AMSL up to a maximum of 500 m AMSL. Its presence in these distinct vegetation types suggests an ability to tolerate the varied environmental pressures of these ecosystems, ranging from the highly seasonal rainfall of the Caatinga to the more diverse landscapes of the Cerrado.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu)

Life history

The life history of Schinusopsis brasiliensis is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive buds are located on aerial shoots well above the ground, a structural adaptation that defines its overall life form. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its leaves periodically as part of its seasonal physiological cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Schinusopsis brasiliensis is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, reaching a mean height of approximately 10 m and attaining a maximum height of up to 15 m. As a terrestrial species, it thrives in soil-based environments rather than aquatic or semiaquatic habitats, and it functions as an independent organism without parasitic behavior. The plant is self-supporting in its structure, possessing a non-climbing habit that distinguishes it from lianas or vines, and it maintains a strictly terrestrial existence rather than acting as an epiphyte.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Schinusopsis brasiliensis is characterized by a specific metabolic framework and nutrient acquisition strategy. Regarding its carbon assimilation, the plant utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme Rubisco during the Calvin cycle. In terms of its symbiotic relationships and nutrient cycling, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the biological mechanism to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia through symbiotic bacteria.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Schinopsis brasiliensis is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily facilitated through interactions with animal vectors. Specifically, the plant relies on insects for pollen transfer, with bees identified as a key component of its pollination network. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces seeds that exhibit a measurable range of physical dimensions. The seed mass for this species varies, with a minimum recorded weight of 0.11875 g and a maximum weight of 0.22899 g, resulting in an average seed mass of approximately 0.16749875 g.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.22899 g

Seed mass mean:

0.16749875 g

Seed mass min:

0.11875 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Schinopsis brasiliensis has 1 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
2. BMC veterinary research
3. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences

Chemicals

Schinopsis brasiliensis has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Tannins, Phenols, polyphenols.

Flavonoids

1. TheScientificWorldJournal
2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Tannins

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
2. BMC veterinary research

Phenols

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

polyphenols

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Schinopsis brasiliensis has 5 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antinociceptive, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Preservative.

Antimicrobial

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Antinociceptive

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Cytotoxic

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Preservative

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Schinopsis brasiliensis has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include colorectal cancer, cough, diarrhea, inflammation, influenza.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations