hog-plum

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• hog-plum

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Sapindales and the family Anacardiaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Spondias, specifically as the species Spondias tuberosa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to specific regions within the South American continent. Its primary distribution can be found across the diverse landscapes of Brazil. Specifically, it thrives within the unique environmental conditions of the Brazil Northeast region. Additionally, the species is also documented to grow throughout the Brazil Southeast area. Therefore, its geographical presence is concentrated in these distinct Brazilian territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Spondias tuberosa is intrinsically tied to the semi-arid landscapes of South America, specifically within the Caatinga (stricto sensu) and Carrasco ecosystems. These environments are characterized by seasonal drought, high solar radiation, and irregular precipitation patterns, forcing the species to adopt specialized survival strategies. In the Caatinga, the plant thrives in xeric shrublands and deciduous forests where it must contend with high temperatures and limited water availability. Its presence in the Carrasco—a transition zone marked by specific soil and moisture dynamics—further highlights its adaptability to diverse semi-arid niches. The species' ecological role is defined by its ability to withstand the physiological stress of these habitats, contributing to the structural complexity and nutrient cycling within these fragile, drought-prone biomes.

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Carrasco

Life history

The life history of Spondias tuberosa is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, meaning it lives for many years and maintains its presence in the ecosystem through successive growing seasons. As it follows a perennial lifecycle, the plant undergoes various stages of maturation and development over a long temporal scale rather than completing its cycle within a single year. In terms of its foliage patterns, the species exhibits deciduousness, characterized by the seasonal shedding of its leaves. This periodic loss of foliage typically serves as an adaptive mechanism to manage water resources or respond to seasonal climatic shifts, marking a distinct phase in its annual biological rhythm.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Spondias tuberosa is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which functions as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber or liana. It is an independent organism, meaning it does not exhibit parasitic behavior, and it is classified as a terrestrial plant rather than an aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic species. In terms of its stature, the plant reaches an average height of 6 m, with a maximum potential height of up to 10 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

6 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Spondias tuberosa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency under typical environmental conditions. Unlike plants utilizing C4 or CAM pathways, its carbon assimilation is primarily driven by the enzyme Rubisco during the Calvin cycle. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, relying instead on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds directly from the soil.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Spondias tuberosa is characterized by a complex biological process involving biotic pollination and specialized seed dispersal mechanisms. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, relying primarily on insects for fertilization, with bees serving as a key pollinator group. Once fertilization is successful, the plant develops a fruit classified as a drupe. These fruits are consistently measured at a length of 4.8 cm, with the minimum, mean, and maximum values all being identical at this measurement. The fruit is indehiscent, meaning it does not split open at maturity to release its contents. For the spread of its progeny, the species employs a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, where animals play a critical role in transporting the fruits or seeds to new locations.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit length max:

4.8 cm

Fruit type :

drupe

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Spondias tuberosa 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 leaf, root, stem.

Leaf

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

Root

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Spondias tuberosa has 19 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ALUMINUM, BORON, CALCIUM, CHLOROGENIC ACID, COPPER.

ALUMINUM

1. Dr. Duke

BORON

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

COPPER

1. Dr. Duke

Gallic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

Isoquercitrin

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

MAGNESIUM

1. Dr. Duke

MANGANESE

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Spondias tuberosa has 166 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, ACE-Inhibitor, Acarifuge, Analgesic, Androgenic.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acarifuge

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

AntiBPH

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCFS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCrohn's

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Spondias tuberosa has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include infections, Candida albicans, Diabetes mellitus, diarrhea, peritonitis.

Infections

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Candida albicans

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Diabetes mellitus

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Diarrhea

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Peritonitis

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

Preparations

Spondias tuberosa has 6 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include EALST, EARST, EEStb, aqueous leaf and root extracts, hydroethanolic extract of leaves.

Ealst

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Earst

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Eestb

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aqueous leaf and root extracts

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Hydroethanolic extract of leaves

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

Hydroethanolic extract of the inner stem bark

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology