Tachigali aurea

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Acosmium mohlenbrockii
• Sclerolobium aureum var. polyphyllum
• Sclerolobium aureum var. velutinum
• Leptolobium luteum
• Sclerolobium aureum

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 class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is placed in the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Tachigali as Tachigali aurea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several key regions of South America. In the western part of the continent, it can be found within the borders of Bolivia. Its presence in Brazil is extensive, spanning across the North and Northeast regions. Additionally, the species is distributed throughout the West-Central areas of Brazil. Finally, the plant is also documented to grow within the Southeast region of Brazil.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Tachigali aurea is characterized by its preference for specific environmental niches within South American biomes, specifically thriving in the Cerrado (latu sensu), as well as in Ciliary Forests or Gallery Forests. This species occupies a low-altitude ecological gradient, with its distribution ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 500 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria

Life history

The life history of Tachigali aurea is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. Throughout its developmental stages, the plant exhibits a deciduous nature, meaning it undergoes a seasonal shedding of its foliage. This cyclical process of leaf senescence and regrowth is a fundamental aspect of its biological rhythm, influencing its resource management and survival strategies across different environmental conditions.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Tachigali aurea is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, exhibiting a robust and independent growth habit. As a terrestrial species, it does not function as an epiphyte or a parasite, maintaining an independent existence within its ecosystem. The plant reaches a significant height, with a mean height of approximately 8 m and a maximum potential height of up to 12 m. In terms of structural support, it is categorized as a self-supporting organism rather than a climber or a liana, establishing a stable, upright growth form.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12 m

Plant height mean:

8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Tachigali aurea is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic strategy that utilizes the enzyme RuBisCO to fix carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere during the Calvin cycle. This pathway is typical for many woody tropical species, allowing the plant to optimize gas exchange and energy production under moderate environmental conditions. Furthermore, the species functions as a nitrogen fixer, possessing a symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic microorganisms that allows it to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, thereby enhancing its nutrient acquisition and supporting growth in nitrogen-limited soils.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Tachigalii aurea is driven by biotic mechanisms, indicating a specialized reliance on living organisms to facilitate its life cycle. The primary pollination syndrome is categorized as biotic, ensuring the transfer of genetic material through biological interactions rather than abiotic factors like wind or water. Within this framework, the plant utilizes an insect-based pollination strategy, specifically targeting bees to ensure efficient pollen transfer. This targeted interaction with bee pollinators plays a critical role in the plant's reproductive success and genetic diversity.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Tachigali aurea has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic.

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology