Pau-de-tucano

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cucullaria tucanorum

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. It is further classified within the order Myrtales and the family Vochysiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Vochysia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical range across several distinct regions of South America. In Northern South America, its presence can be documented within the borders of Suriname. Moving toward the western part of the continent, the species is also found in Bolivia. Within Brazil, the plant is widely distributed across the West-Central, Northeast, and Southeast regions. Collectively, these locations highlight the diverse ecological niches occupied by this medicinal species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Vochysia tucanorum is characterized by its adaptation to the Cerrado (lato sensu) biome, where it thrives within this specific vegetation structure. This species occupies a distinct altitudinal niche, distributed across an elevational range that begins at 400 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

400 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu)

Life history

The life history of Vochysia tucanorum is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to establish a long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that defines its life form. Furthermore, the species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Vochysia tucanorum is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, reaching a height of approximately 10 meters. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently of other plants, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant exhibits a self-supporting growth habit, meaning it does not require climbing structures or other vegetation for support, distinguishing it from lianas or vines. Its physical structure is defined by a solid, woody composition that supports its upright, tree-like form.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Vochysia tucanorum is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning it utilizes the Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide during the light-independent reactions, a common trait among many tropical woody species. In terms of nutrient acquisition, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil through its root system rather than through symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Vochysia tucanorum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Erythrodiol, Ursolic acid, betulinic acid.

Erythrodiol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ursolic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

betulinic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology