Vatairea macrocarpa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tipuana cinerascens
• Vatairea macrocarpa var. cinerascens
• Tipuana macrocarpa
• Machaerium macrocarpum
• Andira cinerascens
• Tipuana amazonica
• Tipuana macrocarpa var. cinerascens

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Vatairea macrocarpa, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Vatairea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions of South America. In the western part of the continent, it can be found within the borders of Bolivia. Its presence is also highly extensive throughout Brazil, spanning multiple distinct territories. Specifically, it is documented in the North, Northeast, Southeast, and West-Central regions of the country. Consequently, the species occupies a diverse range of habitats across these large South American landmasses.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Vatairea macrocarpa is fundamentally defined by its occurrence within the Cerrado (latu sensu) biome, where it integrates into the complex mosaic of tropical savannas. In these environments, the species adapts to a landscape characterized by highly seasonal precipitation and distinct wet and dry periods, which influences its growth patterns and nutrient cycling. Within the Cerrado, it often occupies transition zones or more forested patches where soil moisture and composition support its development, navigating the competitive dynamics of a biome known for its high biodiversity and specialized plant adaptations to fire and seasonal drought.

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu)

Life history

The life history of Vatairea macrocarpa is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to establish a long-term presence within its natural ecosystem. As a perennial, the plant undergoes a continuous developmental process that extends beyond a single growing season, focusing on the accumulation of biomass and the strengthening of its structural integrity over many years. This prolonged lifecycle supports its development into a large, woody tree, enabling it to navigate various environmental cycles and contribute to the forest canopy through sustained growth and reproductive efforts over an extended lifespan.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Vatairea macrocarpa is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that reaches a significant stature, with a mean height of approximately 8 m and a maximum potential height of up to 12 m. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently without acting as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a self-supporting structure rather than functioning as a liana, vine, or climber. Its robust, woody composition supports its development as a large, upright tree within its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12 m

Plant height mean:

8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Vatairea macrocarpa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy in many tropical woody species where carbon fixation occurs primarily through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells. In terms of nutrient cycling and soil interaction, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Vatairea macrocarpa has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Lectin, GLYCOPROTEIN.

Lectin

1. Phytochemistry
2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

GLYCOPROTEIN

1. Phytochemistry