Terminalia argentea

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Myrobalanus biscutella
• Myrobalanus argentea
• Terminalia biscutella
• Myrobalanus subsericea
• Terminalia festinata
• Terminalia subsericea

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Myrtales, it is classified under the family Combretaceae. It is further categorized into the genus Terminalia, where its specific species is identified as Terminalia argentea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution throughout much of South America. In the western part of the continent, it can be found within the borders of Bolivia. Its presence is also heavily concentrated in Brazil, where it spans multiple distinct regions. Specifically, the species is documented across the North, Northeast, Southeast, and West-Central areas of Brazil. Together, these locations highlight the significant range occupied by this medicinal species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Terminalia argentea is characterized by its adaptation to diverse South American biomes, specifically thriving within the Cerrado (latu sensu), Mata de Galeria or Ciliary Forests, Seasonal Semi-deciduous Forests, and the Amazonian Savanna. This species occupies a specific altitudinal niche, typically found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 400 m AMSL to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL. Its presence across these varied habitats indicates a high degree of ecological plasticity, allowing it to inhabit both the more open, seasonal environments of the savanna and the denser, moisture-influenced corridors of gallery forests.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

400 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Savana Amazônica

Life history

The life history of Terminalia argentea is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years through successive growing seasons. As part of its seasonal physiological cycle, the plant exhibits a deciduous growth habit, meaning it undergoes a period of leaf senescence and shedding, typically in response to environmental cues such as seasonal changes in moisture or temperature. This cyclical shedding and subsequent regrowth are fundamental components of its long-term survival strategy within its native ecosystem.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Terminalia argentea is characterized by a woody growth form that manifests primarily as a tree, though it can also present in a shrubby habit. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber or a liana, nor does it exhibit parasitic behavior, maintaining an independent lifestyle. The species is strictly terrestrial, lacking any aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a mean height of approximately 12 m, with a maximum potential height of up to 13 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

13 m

Plant height mean:

12 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Terminalia argentea is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits a highly consistent Specific Leaf Area (SLA) across its measured parameters, with a minimum, mean, and maximum value all recorded at 126 cm²/g, indicating a uniform leaf structure and resource allocation strategy. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on external soil nitrogen sources rather than symbiotic biological nitrogen fixation to support its metabolic requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

126 cm²/g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Terminalia argentea has 3 reported plant parts identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, leaf, stem.

Root

1. BioMed research international
2. Journal of intercultural ethnopharmacology
3. PeerJ
4. Journal of analytical methods in chemistry

Leaf

1. Journal of intercultural ethnopharmacology
2. PeerJ
3. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Stem

1. Natural product communications

Chemicals

Terminalia argentea has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BETA-SITOSTEROL, Lupeol, RUTIN, Terminalin, acetone.

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Natural product communications

Lupeol

1. Natural product communications

RUTIN

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Terminalin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

acetone

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

beta-Sitosterol 3-acetate

1. Natural product communications

dieldrin

1. Journal of analytical methods in chemistry

ethanol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

methanol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

quercetin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Terminalia argentea has 6 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antiparasitic, Gastroprotective, Hepatoprotective.

Anticancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. PeerJ

Antiparasitic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Gastroprotective

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hepatoprotective

1. PeerJ

Lipolytic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Terminalia argentea has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include bronchitis, gastric ulcer, gastritis, inflammation, ulcers.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations