Sorocea hilarii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sorocea hilarii var. graciliflora
• Sorocea macrophylla
• Sorocea ilicifolia var. hilarii
• Sorocea ilicifolia
• Sorocea uriamem

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 Rosales, it is classified under the family Moraceae. Finally, its taxonomic designation is completed within the genus Sorocea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions of Brazil. It can be found growing within the diverse landscapes of the Brazil Northeast. Additionally, its presence extends into the environmental zones of the Brazil Southeast. The species also occupies territories located in the Brazil South region. Consequently, these findings highlight the significant range this medicinal plant covers throughout the country.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Sorocea hilarii is defined by its occurrence in highly specialized and moisture-dependent ecosystems, specifically within the Floresta Ombrófila (Rainforest) and the Restinga formations. In the Ombrophilous Forest habitats, the species thrives under high humidity and consistent precipitation levels, benefiting from the dense canopy cover and the nutrient cycling characteristic of tropical rainforest environments. Concurrently, its presence in Restinga ecosystems indicates an ability to adapt to the unique coastal sandy soils, where it must navigate specific hydrological patterns and potentially higher salt spray or nutrient-limited conditions compared to the inland forest. This distribution across both lush rainforests and coastal scrublands underscores its reliance on stable, humid microclimates and its integration into the complex structural layers of these Atlantic Forest-type biomes.

Habitat :

Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga

Morphology

The morphology of Sorocea hilarii is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a tree that can reach a maximum height of 12 meters. It functions as an independent organism, lacking parasitic tendencies, and is categorized as a terrestrial species rather than an aquatic or semiaquatic one. The plant exhibits a self-supporting structural habit, distinguishing it from climbing lianas or vines, and it maintains a strictly terrestrial existence without adopting epiphytic lifestyles such as holoepiphytism or hemiepiphytism.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Sorocea hilarii is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a carbon fixation process that is typically optimized for environments where water availability is sufficient to support stomatal conductance. Its vegetative architecture includes leaves with a mean surface area of 36.799 cm², which facilitates light interception and gas exchange. The plant's resource allocation and structural investment are further defined by a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 136.305 cm²/g, suggesting a moderate balance between leaf thickness and expansion for photosynthetic efficiency. Additionally, the structural integrity of its woody tissues is supported by a mean stem specific density (SSD) of 610 mg/cm³, reflecting the density and mechanical properties of its vascular and supporting stem tissues.

Leaf size mean:

36.799 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

136.305 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

610 mg/cm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Sorocea hilarii 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 root.

Root

1. Fitoterapia
2. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Sorocea hilarii has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Mulberrofuran O, kuwanon J.

Mulberrofuran O

1. Journal of natural products

kuwanon J

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Sorocea hilarii has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethyl acetate extract of the root bark, methanolic extract of the roots.

Ethyl acetate extract of the root bark

1. Fitoterapia

Methanolic extract of the roots

1. Journal of natural products