Terminalia januariensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Myrobalanus grandialata
• Catappa brasiliensis
• Myrobalanus brasiliensis
• Terminalia grandialata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae, the order Myrtales, and the family Combretaceae. Finally, it is placed within the genus Terminalia as the species Terminalia januarensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution within the South American continent. It is primarily found inhabiting certain regions of Brazil. Specifically, its presence is noted throughout the Northeast part of the country. Additionally, the species can be located within the Southeast region of Brazil as well. These two distinct areas represent the known natural range for this medicinal species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Terminalia januarensis is fundamentally defined by its occurrence within the Floresta Ombrófila, also known as the tropical rainforest or pluviophilic forest. This habitat provides the high levels of humidity and consistent precipitation necessary for its physiological development, as the species thrives in environments characterized by dense canopy cover and high biomass production. Within these moist forest ecosystems, the plant interacts with a complex web of biotic and abiotic factors, including nutrient-rich soil layers driven by rapid decomposition and a stable, warm microclimate. Its presence in these rainforest biomes suggests an adaptation to high moisture availability and a reliance on the structured stratification of the tropical forest for light competition and niche specialization.

Habitat :

Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Terminalia januarensis is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to establish a long-term presence within its ecological niche. Throughout its lifespan, the plant exhibits a deciduous growth habit, shedding its foliage periodically, typically in response to seasonal changes or moisture availability. This cyclical shedding of leaves is a key component of its survival strategy, helping the plant manage resource allocation and water loss during specific periods of the year.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Terminalia januarensis is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, which functions as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber or vine. This species typically reaches a mean plant height of 20 m, with the potential to attain a maximum height of up to 25 m. It is a terrestrial plant, meaning it is neither aquatic nor semi-aquatic, and it exists as an independent organism rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

25 m

Plant height mean:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Terminalia januarensis is characterized by its specific metabolic and nutritional processes, most notably its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway for carbon fixation. As a C3 plant, it undergoes the Calvin cycle directly within the mesophyll cells, which is a standard mechanism for many woody tropical species but requires careful regulation of stomatal conductance to manage transpiration. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria (such as Rhizobium or Frankia) necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms; consequently, it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil to satisfy its nitrogen requirements for protein synthesis and enzymatic functions.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Terminalia januarensis has 4 reported plant parts identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, leaf, stem, fruit.

Root

1. Pharmaceutical research
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Malaria journal
4. Carbohydrate research
5. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Leaf

1. Natural product communications
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Malaria journal
4. Carbohydrate research

Stem

1. Journal of parasitology research
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Carbohydrate research

Fruit

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Terminalia januarensis has 33 reported phytochemicals identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 24-Deoxysericoside, chebuloside II, shikimic acid, Ellagitannins, Flavonoids.

24-Deoxysericoside

1. Cancer reports (Hoboken, N.J.)
2. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

chebuloside II

1. Cancer reports (Hoboken, N.J.)
2. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

shikimic acid

1. Pharmaceutical biology
2. Studies in health technology and informatics
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Ellagitannins

1. Pharmaceutical research
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Journal of parasitology research
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

METHYL GALLATE

1. Pharmaceutical biology
2. Studies in health technology and informatics

Punicalagin

1. Pharmaceutical research
2. Fitoterapia

Tannins

1. Journal of parasitology research
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Terminolic acid

1. Cancer reports (Hoboken, N.J.)
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

arjungenin

1. Cancer reports (Hoboken, N.J.)
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Terminalia januarensis has 9 reported activities identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Neuroprotective, Anticholinesterase, Antidiabetic.

Antioxidant

1. Journal of parasitology research
2. Heliyon
3. Natural product communications
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology
5. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Antimicrobial

1. Pharmaceutical research
2. Pharmacognosy research

Neuroprotective

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anticholinesterase

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antidiabetic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antimalarial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiplasmodial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiproliferative

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Hemolytic

1. Pharmacognosy research

Preparations

Terminalia januarensis has 14 reported preparations identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts, 50% ethanol-water extract, ASE, ASE ethanol extracts, BWΕ.

Extracts

1. Heliyon
2. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine
3. Planta medica

50% ethanol-water extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ase

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ase ethanol extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Bwε

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Boiling water extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Gt-temac™

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Leaves (tml) ethanolic extracts

1. Malaria journal

Bark

1. Journal of natural products

Ethanol extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology