Sideroxylon obtusifolium

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lyciodes obtusifolium
• Bumelia obtusifolia subsp. typica
• Bumelia obtusifolia

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Sideroxylon obtusifolium, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Ericales. Finally, it is a member of the family Sapotaceae and falls under the genus Sideroxylon.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several diverse regions of Mexico. Its distribution includes the central areas of Mexico as well as the Gulf coast region. Furthermore, it can be found throughout the southwest and southeast portions of the country. Moving south from Mexico, the species also extends into the territory of Belize. Consequently, the geographical range of Sideroxylon obtusifolium spans multiple ecological zones from Mexico through Central America.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Sideroxylon obtusifolium is characterized by its adaptability to diverse and often semi-arid landscapes, primarily thriving within the Caatinga (strictu sensu), Carrasco, and Amazonian Savanna (Savaana Amazônica) habitats. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying environments ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1,100 m AMSL. Its presence across these specific biomes indicates a capacity to withstand varying moisture regimes and soil types typical of these transitional and seasonal ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Carrasco, Savana Amazônica

Life history

The life history of Sideroxylon obtusifolium is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and maintain a stable presence within its ecological niche. In terms of its structural growth strategy, the species is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting traits of both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms. This indicates that its regenerative buds are located on aerial shoots well above the ground, typically organized in a woody architecture that enables it to withstand environmental fluctuations and sustain long-term development.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Sideroxylon obtusifolium is characterized by a woody growth form that primarily manifests as a tree, though it can also exhibit a shrub-like habit. This plant is a self-supporting species, meaning it does not function as a climber or a liana, and it grows as an independent organism rather than acting as a parasite. It is a terrestrial plant, lacking any aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, it is a substantial specimen with a mean plant height of approximately 14 m, though it can reach a maximum height of 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:

14 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Sideroxylon obtusifolium is characterized by specific leaf economics and nutrient acquisition strategies. The plant exhibits a highly consistent Leaf Dry Matter Content (LDMC), with a mean, minimum, and maximum value all recorded at 451.4 mg/g, indicating a stable concentration of structural and non-structural components within its leaf tissue. Complementing this is its Specific Leaf Area (SLA), which maintains a constant value across its observed range, with a mean, minimum, and maximum of 72 cm²/g, reflecting a standardized leaf thickness and density profile. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil rather than symbiotic atmospheric fixation.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

451.4 mg/g

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

72 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Sideroxylon obtusifolium is characterized by the production of a berry-type fruit that is indehiscent, meaning it does not split open at maturity to release its contents. The fruit maintains a consistent size, with both the mean and the observed range for fruit length measured at 1.3 cm. Within these fruits, the seeds possess a uniform morphology, displaying a mean, minimum, and maximum seed length of 7.837 mm. The seed mass is also highly consistent, with a mean, minimum, and maximum value recorded at 0.09123 g. Following the maturation of the fruit, the plant utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to aid in the movement and spreading of its seeds to new locations.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit length max:

1.3 cm

Fruit type :

berry

Seed length mean:

7.837 mm

Seed mass mean:

0.09123 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Sideroxylon obtusifolium has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Planta medica
2. Journal of evidence-based integrative medicine

Chemicals

Sideroxylon obtusifolium has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CATECHIN, Condensed Tannins, Flavonoids, Gingerglycolipid A, NMP.

CATECHIN

1. Planta medica

Condensed Tannins

1. The journal of contemporary dental practice

Flavonoids

1. Planta medica

Gingerglycolipid A

1. Planta medica

NMP

1. Journal of evidence-based integrative medicine

Saponins

1. Planta medica

Activities

Sideroxylon obtusifolium has 3 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Free-Radical Scavenging, Hypoglycemic.

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Free-Radical Scavenging

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hypoglycemic

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Sideroxylon obtusifolium has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus salivarius, inflammation.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations