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licania
Scientific Name: Licania platypus
Family: Chrysobalanaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Licania: A Diverse Genus in the Chrysobalanaceae Family
Licania is a plant genus belonging to the family Chrysobalanaceae, also known as the coco plum family. This genus encompasses a variety of shrubs and trees found across several continents.
Considerations for Pets
- Some Licania species are shrubs.
- Some Licania species are small trees.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Licania
- Family: Chrysobalanaceae (coco plum family)
- Synonyms:
- Chrysobalanus incanus (Aubl.) M.Gomez
- Hedycrea incana (Aubl.) J.F.Gmel.
- Licania crassifolia Benth.
- Licania leptostachya crassifolia (Benth.)
- Moquilea tomentosa (synonym for Licania tomentosa)
- Pleragina odorata (synonym for Licania tomentosa)
- Moquilea platypus Hemsl. (synonym for Licania platypus)
Common Names
- Gopher Apple (Licania michauxii)
- Oiti, Goiti, Oitizeiro, Oiti-da-praia (Licania tomentosa)
- Sansapote (Licania platypus)
Distribution and Habitat
- Licania species are native to Africa, Asia, North America, and South America.
- Licania michauxii (gopher apple) grows in the sandhills of peninsular Florida and coastal Mississippi.
- Licania fasciculata is endemic to Panama.
- Some new species have been identified in the mid-altitude forests of Amazonian Peru.
- Licania caldasiana was endemic to Colombia.
Morphological Characteristics
- Licania includes both shrubs and small to medium-sized trees.
- Licania michauxii (gopher apple) is an evergreen shrub.
- Licania fasciculata can grow to a height.
- The specific epithet splendens (in Licania splendens) is from the Latin meaning "shining," referring to the surfaces of the dried plant.
Ecological Role
- Deforestation has led to the decline of several Licania species.
- Licania fasciculata is threatened by habitat loss.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Some Licania species are found in xeric soils.
Quirky Facts
- Licania splendens's name is derived from the Latin word "splendens" which means shining, referring to the surfaces of the dried plant.
- Licania arborea seed oil is affiliated with the United States Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Agricultural and Industrial.
- Licania rigida of Ceara, Brazil, has seeds that can be extracted and used for economic purposes.
Further Information
- World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
- The Plant List
- ARKive (for photos and facts)
- USF Herbarium (for specimen details of Licania michauxii)
- Discover Life (for biology, natural history, ecology, identification and distribution)