Simaba orinocensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Zwingera orinocensis
• Simaba guianensis var. angustifolia
• Quassia crustacea
• Simaba foetida
• Simaba crustacea
• Quassia orinocensis
• Quassia multiflora
• Simaba alata
• Simaba angustifolia
• Simaba multiflora
• Simaba multiflora var. angustifolia
• Aruba orinocensis
• Aruba crustacea

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Sapindales and the family Simaroubaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Simaba, specifically as the species Simaba orinocensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across parts of the Caribbean and Northern South America. In the Caribbean region, its presence is documented within the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Moving to the mainland, the species can be found throughout several countries in Northern South America. Specifically, it inhabits the territories of Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. Finally, its range extends further into the landscapes of Venezuela.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Simaba orinocensis is characterized by its presence across diverse tropical forest ecosystems, specifically inhabiting Igapó forests, Terra Firme forests, Várzea forests, and Ombrophilous (pluvial) forests. These varying habitats indicate an adaptability to different hydrological regimes, ranging from seasonally flooded areas to stable, non-flooded upland terrains. Furthermore, the species maintains a specific altitudinal profile, with its elevational range averaging approximately 120 m AMSL (meters above sea level), positioning it primarily within lowland tropical environments.

Elevational range mean:

120 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Igapó, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta de Várzea, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Morphology

The morphology of Simaba orinocensis is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 25 meters. This species is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, showing no aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. As a self-supporting tree, it does not exhibit climbing behavior such as a liana or vine, nor does it act as an epiphyte, maintaining a purely terrestrial life cycle. Its structural integrity is defined by its woody nature, providing the necessary support for its significant vertical development within its ecosystem.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Simaba orinocensis is characterized by a metabolic framework governed by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a trait that dictates its carbon fixation processes and water-use efficiency. As a C3 plant, it utilizes the enzyme Rubisco to directly fix atmospheric carbon dioxide into three-carbon compounds during the Calvin cycle, a process that typically occurs without the specialized concentrating mechanisms found in C4 or CAM species. This reliance on the C3 pathway implies that the plant's physiological performance, particularly its rate of primary productivity and gas exchange, is closely tied to environmental variables such as light intensity, ambient CO2 concentrations, and leaf temperature. Consequently, its metabolic regulation is highly sensitive to photorespiration, necessitating specific physiological adaptations to manage the trade-off between carbon uptake through stomatal conductance and the prevention of excessive transpiration in its native habitat.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Simaba orinocensis involves a specialized reproductive cycle characterized by the production of seeds with highly consistent morphological dimensions. The dissemination of its progeny is facilitated by seeds that exhibit a precise and uniform size profile, with a measured seed volume that remains constant across samples. Specifically, the seed volume is recorded at a mean of 2200 mm³, a value that is strictly maintained as both the minimum (2200 mm³) and maximum (2200 mm³) threshold. This lack of variance in seed volume suggests a highly stabilized reproductive mechanism, ensuring that each individual unit produced for dispersal adheres to this specific volumetric standard.

Seed volume max:

2200 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Simaba orinocensis has 2 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 fruit, root.

Fruit

1. Journal of natural products

Root

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Simaba orinocensis has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Chaparrinone, Simalikalactone D, scopoletin.

Chaparrinone

1. Dr. Duke

Simalikalactone D

1. Journal of natural products

scopoletin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Simaba orinocensis has 49 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allelochemic, Analgesic, Anesthetic.

Antimalarial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Anesthetic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiadrenergic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiaflatoxin

1. Dr. Duke

Antiarrhythmic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiasthmatic

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Simaba orinocensis has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Leishmania donovani, Plasmodium falciparum.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations