SafePlants

Ambay Pumpwood

The Ambay Pumpwood, also sometimes referred to as just Pumpwood, encompasses several species within the Cecropia genus. It is a fascinating tree with an intriguing ecological role.

Scientific Name and Common Names

• Accepted Scientific Name: Cecropia pachystachya Trécul
• Common Names: Ambay Pumpwood, Ambay, Pumpwood (though this name can refer to other Cecropia species)

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Taxonomic Rank: Species
• Family: Cecropiaceae (though some sources may list it under other families depending on taxonomic classification updates)
• Synonyms: Cecropia adenopus Mart. ex Miq., Ambaiba adenopus (Mart. ex Miq.) Kuntze

Distribution and Habitat

• The Ambay Pumpwood is native to Latin America.
• It is found in regions including Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador.
• Cecropia adenopus is specifically mentioned as a frequent native species on the edges of woods and clearings.
• It is considered a pioneer species in re-colonized areas.
• Also found on the banks of the Rio Momuna.

Ecological Role

• The Ambay Pumpwood is a pioneer species.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• The Ambay Pumpwood is a perennial tree.
• It is an evergreen subtropical tree.
• Specific gravity: 0.41.
• Structure: Tree

Interactions with Other Organisms

• The Ambay Pumpwood's fruits are eaten by various animals, including toucans and other birds.
• It serves as a food source for species such as genipapo (Genipa americana) and agarrapolo (Ficus luschnathiana).
• The text mentions a vintage engraving print featuring "Myrmecophytes, Ant Plants, Ambay Pumpwood, Bull's Horn Thorne, Fanged Pitcher-Plant", suggesting potential interactions with ants or other myrmecophytic relationships, though the nature of these interactions isn't detailed.

Quirky Facts

• The Portuguese name "embaba" from Brazil may be related to the common name "Ambay."
• One source mentions the Ambay Pumpwood as being used in impossibly expensive herbal medicine.

Further Information

• NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) recognizes Cecropia pachystachya.
• Additional information can be found in Richard Wettstein's "Handbuch der Systematischen Botanik" (1924).
• Plant database entries are available online with user-submitted photos and care instructions.