Baboonwood

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Baboonwood
• ucahuba-nut
• white ucuba

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Palala gracilis
• Virola glaziovii
• Palala surinamensis
• Myristica surinamensis
• Myristica sebifera var. longifolia
• Myristica gracilis
• Virola glaziovii var. latifolia
• Virola carinata var. gracilis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Magnoliales, it is classified under the family Myristicaceae. It is further identified by the genus Virola and the specific species name surinamensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range concentrated within the tropical regions of the Caribbean and Northern South America. Within the Caribbean, its presence is documented in the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Moving to the mainland, the species is widely distributed across the Guianas, including French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. Furthermore, its habitat extends into the northern territories of Venezuela. Collectively, these locations define the primary natural environment where this medicinal species can be found.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Virola surinameensis is characterized by its presence across diverse forest ecosystems, specifically inhabiting riparian forests (Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria), terra firme forests (Floresta de Terra Firme), and varzea forests (Floresta de Várzea). This species demonstrates significant adaptability to varying hydrological conditions, ranging from seasonally flooded areas to more stable, non-flooded upland terrains. Its vertical distribution is found within a broad altitudinal gradient, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to an elevation of 1000 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta de Várzea

Life history

The life history of Virola surinameensis is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem over many years rather than completing a single reproductive cycle. As an evergreen plant, it maintains its foliage throughout the year, providing continuous canopy cover and consistent photosynthetic activity regardless of the season.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Virola surinameensis is characterized by its significant stature and robust structural development, typically manifesting as a large woody tree. It reaches impressive heights, with an average height of approximately 30 m and a maximum potential height of up to 37 m. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently in its environment without functioning as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant is strictly self-supporting in its growth habit, lacking the climbing tendencies of vines or lianas, and relies on its strong, woody framework to maintain its vertical presence within its ecosystem.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

37 m

Plant height mean:

30 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Virola surinamensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a standard carbon fixation process typical of many tropical woody species. Its leaf morphology and resource allocation strategies are reflected in a mean leaf dry matter content (LDMC) of 342 mg/g, a value that remains consistent across its minimum and maximum recorded measurements. The plant exhibits a mean leaf length of 16.2 cm and a mean leaf width of 6.65 cm, supported by a mean leaf thickness of 0.0285 mm. These dimensions contribute to a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 95.5 cm²/g, which is also the minimum and maximum value recorded for this trait, suggesting a highly stable leaf structure. Additionally, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on soil nutrient availability rather than symbiotic nitrogen fixation.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

342 mg/g

Leaf length mean:

16.2 cm

Leaf thickness mean:

0.0285 mm

Leaf width mean:

6.65 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

95.5 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Virola surinamensis is characterized by the production of fleshy fruits that facilitate successful propagation. These fruits possess a mean length of 1.88 cm and a mean width of 1.52 cm, serving as the primary vessel for seed protection and dispersal. The plant utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning its fleshy fruits are consumed and moved by animals, aiding in the distribution of its offspring. Within these fruits, the seeds vary significantly in size and weight; the seed mass ranges from a minimum of 1 g to a maximum of 2.48 g, with an average mass of approximately 1.91902 g. The seeds exhibit considerable morphological diversity, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 15 mm to a maximum of 30 mm (mean length of 17.5 mm), and widths reaching up to 14.2 mm. In terms of vertical dimension, the seed height reaches a maximum of 14.2 mm. The volumetric data for the seeds is consistent, showing a mean, minimum, and maximum seed volume of 2200 mm³, indicating a robust and substantial seed structure essential for the plant's life cycle.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length mean:

1.88 cm

Fruit type :

other

Fruit width mean:

1.52 cm

Seed height max:

14.2 mm

Seed length max:

30 mm

Seed length mean:

17.5 mm

Seed length min:

15 mm

Seed mass max:

2.48 g

Seed mass mean:

1.91902 g

Seed mass min:

1 g

Seed volume max:

2200 mm³

Seed width max:

14.2 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Virola surinamensis has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Seed

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Chemicals

Virola surinamensis has 23 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Aristolene, Bicyclogermacrene, CAPRIC ACID, Decanoic acid, Elemicine.

Aristolene

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Bicyclogermacrene

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

CAPRIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke

Decanoic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Elemicine

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Flavonoids

1. Planta medica

Germacrene D

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Lignans

1. Planta medica

MYRISTIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Virola surinamensis has 51 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic, Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Anemiagenic, AntiMS.

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Anemiagenic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiMS

1. Dr. Duke

Antiacne

1. Dr. Duke

Antialopecic

1. Dr. Duke

Antianaphylactic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiandrogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiarteriosclerotic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Virola surinamensis has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Leishmaniasis, cancer, colon cancer, infections, malaria.

Leishmaniasis

1. Pharmaceutics

Cancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Colon cancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Infections

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Malaria

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Virola surinamensis has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanol extracts.

Ethanol extracts

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR