miracle-berry

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• miracle-berry
• miracle-fruit
• miracle fruit

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Donax danielii
• Phrynium daniellii
• Monostiche daniellii

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 within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Zingiberales, it falls under the family Marantaceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Thaumatococcus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Thaumatococcus daniellii, is primarily found within the West Tropical Africa region. Its natural habitat encompasses several specific countries across this diverse geographical belt. Specifically, it can be located in the nation of Burkina. The plant's distribution also extends through Ghana and Guinea. Furthermore, its presence is recorded in both Ivory Coast and Liberia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Thaumatococcus daniellii is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons within its native tropical habitat. As a member of the cryptophyte life form, its essential regenerative organs are protected underground, shielding them from environmental fluctuations. More specifically, its biological structure aligns with the hemicryptophyte classification, where the perennating buds are situated at or just below the soil surface, enabling the plant to maintain stability and facilitate regrowth following seasonal changes.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Thaumatococcus daniellii is characterized by a non-woody, herbaceous growth form, functioning as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber. It is a terrestrial species that exists independently, lacking any parasitic tendencies. The plant typically reaches a mean height of approximately 2 m, though it can attain a maximum height of up to 3.048 m. As a non-epiphytic herb, it maintains a stable, ground-based structure within its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3.048037064 m

Plant height mean:

2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Thaumatococcus danielii is characterized by its specialized metabolic processes, most notably the synthesis of thaumatins, which are high-intensity sweetening proteins found within its fruit. These proteins function through a unique mechanism of action on the gustatory receptors of the tongue, providing a sweetness sensation significantly more potent than sucrose. Regarding its nutrient cycling and soil interactions, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its physiological growth and development are heavily dependent on the uptake of existing nitrogenous compounds from the soil substrate. The plant's overall metabolic vigor is closely tied to the moisture-retentive properties of its tropical habitat, which supports its large leaf surface area and the energetic demands of producing complex polypeptide chains.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Thaumatococcus daniellii has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, leaf.

Fruit

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Leaf

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Chemicals

Thaumatococcus daniellii has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, CALCIUM, Cardiac Glycosides, FAT, Flavonoids.

Ash

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

CALCIUM

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Cardiac Glycosides

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

FAT

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Flavonoids

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

IRON

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

MAGNESIUM

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

PHOSPHORUS

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

THAUMATIN

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Tannin

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS