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licania
Scientific Name: Licania
Family: Chrysobalanaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Licania: A Diverse Genus of Tropical Trees and Shrubs
The genus Licania encompasses a diverse group of plants belonging to the family Chrysobalanaceae, also known as the coco plum family. These plants range from shrubs to small trees and are found in various tropical regions around the world.
The scientific community recognizes numerous species within the Licania genus. As of September 2014, the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families and The Plant List acknowledged approximately 223 accepted taxa.
Considerations for Pets
- Some Licania species are shrubs or small trees.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Genus: Licania
- Family: Chrysobalanaceae (coco plum family)
- Major Group: Angiosperms (Flowering Plants)
- Synonyms (for specific species):
- Moquilea tomentosa (synonym for Licania tomentosa)
- Pleragina odorata (synonym for Licania tomentosa)
- Chrysobalanus incanus (synonym for a species within Licania)
- Hedycrea incana (synonym for a species within Licania)
- Licania crassifolia (synonym for a species within Licania)
- Coccomelia nitida
- Ferolia nitida
Distribution and Habitat
- Licania species are native to Africa, Asia, North America, and South America.
- Specific examples:
- Licania michauxii (gopher apple) is found in the sandhills of peninsular Florida and coastal Mississippi.
- Licania caldasiana was endemic to Colombia.
- Many Licania species are found in South America.
Common Names
- Gopher Apple: Licania michauxii
- Oiti, Goiti, Oitizeiro, Oiti-da-praia: Licania tomentosa
Morphological Characteristics
- Licania encompasses both shrubs and small to medium-sized trees.
- Licania hypoleuca (oiti-mirim) can reach 10-25 meters in height.
- Licania hoehnei (oiti) can reach 10-30 meters in height.
Species Highlights
- Licania michauxii (Gopher Apple): An evergreen shrub native to the southeastern United States.
- Licania splendens: A tree whose specific epithet "splendens" refers to the shining surfaces of the dried plant.
- Licania fasciculata: A species endemic to Panama, threatened by habitat loss.
- Licania tomentosa: Known by various common names in Portuguese, this species has synonyms including Moquilea tomentosa.
- Licania rigida (Oiticica Tree): While not the primary focus, it is mentioned as being economically important in relation to the seeds.
Ecological Considerations
- Deforestation is impacting several Licania species, leading to population decline.
- Habitat loss threatens species like Licania fasciculata.
Traditional Uses and Chemical Properties
- Dried leaves of Licania pyrifolia and Licania carii have been found to contain various compounds, including flavonoids, ursolic acid, and betulinic acid.
- Research suggests that flavonoids from Licania licaniaeflora possess antioxidant activity.
- Chemical constituents from Licania cruegeriana have been studied for their potential cardiovascular and antiplatelet effects.
Quirky Facts
- The fruit of Licania platypus, also known as sansapote, is not highly esteemed.
- The specific epithet "splendens," used for Licania splendens, is derived from Latin and means "shining."
Further Resources
- World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
- The Plant List
- USF Herbarium (for specimen details of Licania michauxii)
- ARKive (for photos and facts about Licania)
- DELTA database (for information on Licania spp. in Tropical America)
- Discover Life (for biology, natural history, and distribution information)
- Wikimedia Commons (for images, such as Licania humilis)
- IUCN Red List assessment for Licania splendens