SafePlants

Alvaradoa

Alvaradoa is a genus of plants belonging to the Picramniaceae family. It contains multiple species, although some lists may be incomplete.

Considerations for Pets

• The text mentions that Alvaradoa amorphoides can grow as a large shrub or small tree. It could potentially pose a risk to pets if they ingest any part of the plant, but no toxicity information is provided.
• "Mexican Alvaradoa allergy information and photos" suggests potential allergenic properties.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Alvaradoa Liebmann
• Family: Picramniaceae (sometimes listed as Simaroubaceae, quassia family)
• Type species: Alvaradoa amorphoides Liebm.
• Synonyms:
  • For Alvaradoa amorphoides: Alvaradoa mexicana Liebm.
• Subspecies: Alvaradoa amorphoides subsp. psilophylla (Urban) Cronquist

Common Names

• Alvaradoa
• Mexican Alvaradoa (specifically for Alvaradoa amorphoides)
• Spanish names (for Alvaradoa amorphoides): palo torsal, camarón, pie de gallo, aretillo, penicillo, guachipil, palo hormiga

Distribution and Habitat

• The genus Alvaradoa is native to Central America.
• Alvaradoa amorphoides is native to Mexico and southern Florida, specifically southern Miami-Dade County.
• It grows in margins of rockland hammocks, open pine rocklands, dry coppices, and shrublands (e.g., in the Bahamas).

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Alvaradoa amorphoides grows as a large shrub to small tree.
• Alvaradoa amorphoides has fine-textured bark and once-pinnately compound leaves with leaflets that progressively get smaller toward the apex.

Ecological Role

• Alvaradoa amorphoides is considered a pioneer species of the tropical dry forest.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Mention of "Alvaradoa allergy information" suggests interactions with humans resulting in allergic reactions.
• Several studies mention the isolation of compounds with anticancer/antitumor/cytotoxic activities from Alvaradoa haitiensis, suggesting a potential interaction with cancer cells.

Quirky Facts

• The genus Alvaradoa is named after Pedro de Alvarado y Contreras (ca. 1485–1541), a member of the Spanish conquistadors.
• One champion Alvaradoa amorphoides tree in Florida was the largest known tree of its species in 1983, according to American Forests Champion Trees list.

Further Information

• The Plant List: theplantlist.org
• IUCN Red List: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T35212A9918137.en
• Discover Life: Information about Alvaradoa amorphoides biology, natural history, ecology, identification and distribution.