Swartzia polyphylla

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tounatea polyphylla
• Swartzia platygyne
• Swartzia opacifolia
• Swartzia urubuensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae in the order Fabales, falling within the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Swartzia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution that spans across two distinct continents. Within the Indian Subcontinent, its presence is specifically noted in India. Moving to Northern South America, the species can be found across several different nations. It is documented to inhabit the territories of French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. Furthermore, its range extends into the country of Venezuela, completing its diverse regional spread.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Swartzia polyphylla is characterized by its presence in specific tropical forest ecosystems, specifically inhabiting Campinarana and Floresca de Terra Firme environments. This species thrives within a defined altitudinal gradient, occupying an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 100 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 455 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

455 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campinarana, Floresta de Terra Firme

Life history

The life history of Swartzia polyphylla is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, meaning it maintains its vegetative structures and remains alive for multiple years throughout its existence. Unlike annuals that complete a single reproductive cycle before death, or biennials that require two years to mature, this species follows a long-term survival strategy that allows it to establish itself firmly within its ecological niche. Over its extended lifespan, the plant undergoes repeated cycles of growth, maturation, and reproduction, contributing to its persistence in the environment.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Swartzia polyphylla is characterized by its robust growth form, as it develops as a woody tree. This species is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant is significantly tall, reaching a mean height of approximately 30 m, with a maximum potential height of up to 40 m. Structurally, it is a self-supporting species, lacking the climbing habits of vines or lianas.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

40 m

Plant height mean:

30 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Swartzia polyphylla is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in its natural habitat. In addition to its carbon assimilation strategies, the plant exhibits the functional capacity of a nitrogen fixer, enabling it to convert atmospheric nitrogen into biologically available forms to support its nutritional requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Swartzia polyphylla is characterized by specific morphological traits and a specialized dispersal mechanism. The seeds produced by this species are notably robust, maintaining a highly consistent size and weight profile. The seed mass is recorded at a uniform value, with both the minimum and maximum mass, as well as the mean mass, reaching 30.236 g. Similarly, the seed volume is remarkably stable, showing no variation between its minimum, maximum, and mean measurements, all of which are fixed at 1100 mm³. In terms of its dispersal strategy, the plant utilizes a hydrochorous syndrome, meaning its seeds are primarily dispersed by water, though its reproductive potential is noted within a broader context of anemochorous, zoochorous, autochorous, and unspecialized dispersal methods.

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Seed mass mean:

30.236 g

Seed volume max:

1100 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Swartzia polyphylla has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Dihydrobiochanin A, Ferreirin, biochanin A, dalbergioidin, dihydrolicoisoflavone.

Dihydrobiochanin A

1. Journal of natural products

Ferreirin

1. Journal of natural products

biochanin A

1. Journal of natural products

dalbergioidin

1. Journal of natural products

dihydrolicoisoflavone

1. Journal of natural products

naringenin

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Swartzia polyphylla has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic extract.

Ethanolic extract

1. Journal of natural products