Simarouba versicolor

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Quassia versicolor
• Simarouba antisyphilitica
• Simarouba versicolor var. angustifolia
• Simarouba versicolor var. pallida

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Sapindales, it is classified under the family Simaroubaceae. Its taxonomic identity is further defined by its placement in the genus Simarouba.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Simarouba versicolor, exhibits a broad presence across several key regions of South America. Its distribution is notably extensive throughout Brazil, spanning the North, Northeast, Southeast, and West-Central territories. Beyond the borders of Brazil, the species can also be found growing in Bolivia. This wide-ranging presence highlights its ability to adapt to various ecological zones within Western South America. Consequently, the plant is a significant component of the diverse flora found across these specific tropical landscapes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Simarouba versicolor is characterized by its adaptability to diverse Brazilian biomes, where it establishes itself primarily within the Cerrado (lato sensu), Atlantic Forest (Floresta Ciliar), or as a key component of gallery forests (Galeria). This distribution allows the species to thrive in both open, savanna-like environments and more sheltered, humid riparian corridors. In the Cerrado, it functions within complex ecosystems defined by seasonal moisture variations, while in gallery forests, it benefits from the stabilized moisture levels and nutrient-rich soils provided by proximity to watercourses. This ecological plasticity enables the plant to occupy various successional stages and microhabitats, playing a significant role in the structural integrity and biological diversity of these distinct vegetation types.

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria

Life history

The life history of Simarouba versicolor is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years through successive growing seasons. As an evergreen plant, it maintains its foliage throughout the year, providing continuous photosynthetic activity and structural stability within its ecosystem. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and constant leaf retention contributes to its enduring presence and developmental stability in its native habitats.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Simarouba versicolor is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically existing as a tree. It is a terrestrial species that functions as an independent organism, showing no parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. Its physical dimensions typically reach a height of approximately 7 m, with a mean plant height of around 10 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

7 m

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Simarouba versicolor is characterized by a metabolic framework consistent with most woody dicotyledonous species, specifically utilizing the C3 photosynthetic pathway to facilitate carbon fixation. This process involves the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate by the enzyme RuBisCO, which is typical for plants inhabiting tropical and subtropical environments where light interception and water availability support standard Calvin cycle dynamics. Regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria (such as Rhizobium) required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, and therefore relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system to meet its nitrogen requirements for protein synthesis and enzymatic functions.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Simarouba versicolor is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit a highly consistent and uniform morphology in terms of size. Based on morphological data, the seed volume remains constant across observed specimens, with a recorded minimum, maximum, and mean volume all strictly measured at 6400 mm³. This lack of variance in seed volume suggests a specialized reproductive strategy where energy is allocated toward producing seeds of a standardized size, likely to ensure optimal nutrient reserves and consistent germination success within its ecological niche.

Seed volume max:

6400 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Simarouba versicolor has 3 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, fruit, stem.

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias

Fruit

1. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias

Stem

1. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias

Chemicals

Simarouba versicolor has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Glaucarubinone, AILANTHINONE, Amarolide 11-acetate, Amarolide 2,11-diacetate, BETA-SITOSTEROL.

Glaucarubinone

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Lloydia

AILANTHINONE

1. Lloydia

Amarolide 11-acetate

1. Lloydia

Amarolide 2,11-diacetate

1. Lloydia

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Lloydia

Steroids

1. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias

kaempferol

1. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias

triterpenoids

1. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias

Activities

Simarouba versicolor has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antileukemic, Cytotoxic.

Antibacterial

1. Brazilian journal of microbiology : [publication of the Brazilian Society for Microbiology]

Antifungal

1. Brazilian journal of microbiology : [publication of the Brazilian Society for Microbiology]

Antileukemic

1. Lloydia

Cytotoxic

1. Lloydia

Medicinal Uses

Simarouba versicolor has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include brain tumor, helminthiasis, leukemia, melanoma.

Most Reported Uses