cupu assu

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Guazuma grandiflora
• Theobroma macranthum
• Bubroma grandiflorum

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 Malvales and the family Malvaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Theobroma.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several tropical regions in the Americas. In Central America, it can be found specifically within the borders of Honduras. Its presence extends into the Caribbean, where it inhabits Trinidad-Tobago as well as the Windward Islands. Moving into Northern South America, the species is documented in Guyana. Finally, the geographical range continues southward through Venezuela.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Theobroma grandiflorum is characterized by its preference for highly specific, moisture-rich forest environments, primarily thriving within Floresta de Igapó, Floresta de Várzea, and Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial). These habitats provide the humid and shaded conditions necessary for its growth. In terms of topographic distribution, the species occupies a diverse altitudinal gradient, with its presence recorded from a minimum elevation of 120 m AMSL up to a maximum elevation of 1200 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

120 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Igapó, Floresta de Várzea, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Theobroma grandiflorum is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its environment over many successive growing seasons. Throughout its developmental stages, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and photosynthetic year-round without the seasonal shedding of leaves.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Theobroma grandiflorum is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, reaching a mean and maximum height of approximately 10 m. It is a terrestrial species, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite, and it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, remaining grounded in its habitat. In terms of its structural habit, the plant is self-supporting, neither acting as an obligatory nor a facultative climber, such as a liana or vine, but maintaining a stable, upright tree structure.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Theobroma grandiflorum is characterized by a complex metabolic framework designed to support its growth in tropical environments, though it does not possess the specialized symbiotic mechanisms required to function as a nitrogen fixer. Unlike certain leguminous species that host diazotrophic bacteria in root nodules to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, this plant lacks the physiological machinery for nitrogen fixation (trait_1: no). Consequently, its nutrient uptake relies heavily on the absorption of nitrates and ammonium ions from the soil through its root system. Its metabolic processes are driven by efficient photosynthetic pathways that facilitate carbon assimilation, supporting the development of its unique chemical constituents. The plant's resource management is focused on the synthesis of secondary metabolites and the maintenance of cellular homeostasis, ensuring structural integrity and reproductive success through the careful regulation of water potential and mineral transport within its vascular tissues.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Theobroma grandiflorum is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, meaning it relies on living organisms rather than abiotic factors to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The reproductive process is characterized by an insect-mediated mechanism, where various insect species serve as the primary vectors for fertilization. Specifically, the pollination success of the species is tied to the activity of diverse insect groups, including bees, beetles, ants, butterflies, moths, and flies, all of which play crucial roles in moving pollen between flowers to ensure successful seed development.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Theobroma grandiflorum has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, CALCIUM, FAT, IRON, PHOSPHORUS.

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

PHOSPHORUS

1. Dr. Duke

ascorbic acid

1. Dr. Duke

niacin

1. Dr. Duke

polyphenols

1. Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)

riboflavin

1. Dr. Duke

thiamin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Theobroma grandiflorum has 174 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic, Analgesic, Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker.

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

AntiAGE

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCFS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCTS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCrohn's

1. Dr. Duke

AntiLyme

1. Dr. Duke