Tapirira guianensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Joncquetia guianensis
• Bursera bahiensis
• Marupa francoana
• Mauria cyclocarpa
• Mauria subbijuga
• Mauria multiflora
• Tapirira pao-pombo
• Odina francoana
• Joncquetia paniculata
• Tapirira bijuga
• Tapirira fanshawei
• Tapirira dunstervilleorum
• Spondias parviflora
• Tapirira pearcei
• Tapirira myriantha
• Tapirira guianensis subsp. subandina
• Tapirira guianensis var. cuneata
• Tapirira guianensis subsp. guianensis
• Tapirira guianensis var. elliptica
• Comocladia tapaculo

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 is organized under the order Sapindales and the family Anacardiaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Tapirira, as part of the species Tapirira guianenis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range that spans across both the Pacific Islands and the Americas. In the Southwestern Pacific region, it can be found specifically within Vanuatu. Its presence extends into North America, where it is located in Southeast Mexico. Furthermore, the species is distributed throughout various parts of Central America, including Belize and Honduras. Finally, its documented habitat also encompasses the country of Costa Rica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Tapirira guianenensis is characterized by a remarkably broad environmental tolerance and a diverse range of habitat preferences. This species can be found across a vast altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) to elevations as high as 2000 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 1770 m AMSL. Its distribution spans multiple distinct ecosystems and vegetation types, demonstrating significant ecological plasticity. It thrives in anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) and various forest formations, including seasonal semi-deciduous forests (Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual), ombrophilous/rainforests (Floresta Ombrófila), and terra firme forests (Floresta de Terra Firme). Additionally, it is present in riparian or gallery forests (Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria), restingas, and the Cerrado (latu sensu) biome, allowing it to occupy a wide array of niches within its geographical range.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1770 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga

Life history

The life history of Tapirira guianensis is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to establish long-term presence within its ecological niche. As an evergreen plant, it maintains its foliage throughout the year, ensuring continuous photosynthetic activity and stability in its vegetative structure. This combination of a perennial lifecycle and an evergreen habit enables the species to persist through various seasonal shifts, contributing to its longevity and resilience in the tropical environments it inhabits.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Tapirira guianensis is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, capable of reaching significant dimensions with an average height of approximately 11 m and a maximum height of up to 30 m. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently of other plants, functioning as a non-parasitic organism rather than an obligatory or facultative parasite. Its growth habit is distinctly self-supporting, meaning it does not function as a liana, vine, or climbing plant, and it lacks epiphytic tendencies, remaining strictly terrestrial throughout its life cycle.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

11 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Tapirira guianensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon assimilation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits a leaf dry matter content (LDMC) that remains constant at a value of 433.1 mg/g, representing both the minimum and maximum recorded levels, indicating a highly stable leaf mass distribution relative to area. This structural stability is further reflected in its mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 79.736 cm²/g and a mean leaf size of 253.198 cm². In terms of structural density, the plant possesses a mean stem specific density (SSD) of 480 mg/cm³. Additionally, Tapirira guianensis does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on soil-available nitrogen rather than symbiotic nitrogen fixation to meet its nutritional requirements.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

433.1 mg/g

Leaf size mean:

253.198 cm²

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

79.736 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

480 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Tapiirira guiarensis is characterized by a biotic pollination strategy, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. This plant exhibits an absence of self-fertilization, suggesting a reliance on cross-pollination to maintain genetic diversity. The resulting fruit is classified as a drupe, which is indehiscent, meaning it does not spontaneously split open at maturity to release its seeds. Dispersal is primarily zoochorous, utilizing animals to transport the fruit and seeds to new locations. The seeds themselves are relatively consistent in mass, with a mean and maximum weight of 0.026 g. In terms of physical dimensions, the seeds vary in length from a minimum of 15 mm to a maximum of 30 mm, with an average length of 10.185 mm. The seed volume also shows specific parameters, ranging from a minimum of 290 mm³ to a maximum of 360 mm³, with a calculated mean volume of 325 mm³.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit type :

drupe

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

30 mm

Seed length mean:

10.185 mm

Seed length min:

15 mm

Seed mass mean:

0.026 g

Seed volume max:

360 mm³

Seed volume mean:

325 mm³

Seed volume min:

290 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Tapirira guianensis has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed, leaf.

Seed

1. Journal of natural products
2. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Leaf

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Tapirira guianensis has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonols, polyphenols.

flavonols

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

polyphenols

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Tapirira guianensis has 1 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytostatic.

Cytostatic

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Medicinal Uses

Tapirira guianensis has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Glioblastoma, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations