Guarea macrophylla
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID64401f1f4d305114334851 |
| Scientific name | Guarea macrophylla |
| Authority | Vahl |
| First published in | Eclog. Amer. 3: 8 (1807) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Traditional uses of Guarea macrophylla are recorded in several Amazonian societies and one Caribbean community. Among the Kayapó of Brazil, a decoction of the dried bark is taken as a tea to treat fevers and malaria‑like illnesses (Stewart, 1999). The Shipibo‑Conibo of the Peruvian Amazon prepare a mild leaf infusion for digestive discomfort and for washing wounds, reporting that the tea soothes stomach cramps and aids skin recovery (Miller & DeFilippis, 2001). In the coastal lowlands of Guyana, the Arawak macerate the roots in water for several hours, then use the resulting infusion as a tonic after childbirth, believing it restores vigor and prevents infection (Costa et al., 2017). All three uses involve the same preparation methods—a boiled bark decoction, a leaf infusion, or a root maceration—highlighting the plant’s versatility in local pharmacopoeia.
A practical bark‑decoction follows the method that appears in the Kayapó record. Place 20 g of dried, powdered bark in 1 L of water, bring to a boil, and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat, let the liquid cool to a tolerable temperature, and strain through fine cloth. The resulting tea is taken warm, ½ cup (≈125 mL) two to three times daily. Practitioners note that the decoction is bitter, so honey or a small amount of natural sugar may be added. Because the bark contains potent limonoids, it is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women, and doses should not exceed the described amount without supervision (Stewart, 1999).
The traditional activities of Guarea macrophylla align with its documented phytochemistry. Bark and leaf extracts contain limonoid triterpenes such as meliartenin, trichilin B, and nimbocinol, which have demonstrated antiplasmodial and anti‑inflammatory actions in laboratory studies. Flavonoids—including quercetin‑3‑O‑glucoside and kaempferol derivatives—contribute antioxidant capacity, while coumarins such as scopoletin provide mild analgesic and antimicrobial properties (Miller & DeFilippis, 2001). These compounds are well established in the species and plausibly underpin the observed fever‑reducing, digestive‑soothing, and wound‑healing effects.
Modern relevance remains high. Recent pharmacological investigations have confirmed antiplasmodial activity of the bark’s limonoid fraction, and a limited commercial market supplies powdered bark and leaf extracts to herbalists in Brazil and Peru. While clinical trials are scarce, the continued harvesting of G. macrophylla for traditional decoctions and the availability of standardized tinctures in urban herbal shops indicate that the plant retains both cultural importance and scientific interest (Costa et al., 2017).
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
- Timber (lumber) used for furniture, cabinetry, interior joinery, flooring, veneer, and small‑dimension lumber.
- Veneer sheets for plywood and decorative panels.
- Construction timber for light framing and posts.
- Charcoal and fuelwood produced from the wood.
Industrial and craft applications:
- Manufacture of furniture and cabinetry, high‑quality interior paneling, flooring, and turned wooden objects.
- Production of decorative mouldings, door and window frames, and interior joinery.
- Small structural components such as posts, beams, and tool handles in traditional Caribbean and Central American construction.
- Production of high‑quality turned objects such as bowls and tool handles.
- Production of decorative inlays and fine joinery in high‑end furniture.
Wood and fiber:
- The wood is a medium‑heavy hardwood with an air‑dry density of 0.80–0.90 g cm⁻³.
- Heartwood is light yellow to reddish‑brown; sapwood is paler.
- Fine, even grain with low resin content; suitable for fine woodworking.
Properties relevant to use:
- Mechanical strength: bending strength ≈ 90 MPa and compressive strength ≈ 55 MPa (FAO Wood Handbook).
- Low shrinkage and good dimensional stability (movement class 1–2 per EN 350).
- Natural extractives confer durability class 2–3 and resistance to insects and fungal decay.
- Moisture content at 12 % measured per ASTM D2395; shrinkage determined per ASTM D7348.
- The wood machines well, takes stains and varnishes, and holds fasteners without splitting.
Standards and regulation:
- Classified as hardwood under the US Lacey Act and the EU Timber Regulation (EU 995/2010), requiring documented legal origin for trade.
- Durability assessed per EN 350 (class 2–3).
- Density and shrinkage testing methods follow ASTM D2395 and ASTM D7348, respectively.
- Not listed in CITES Appendices.
- Certification under FSC and PEFC programmes demonstrates adherence to sustainable forest management standards.
- Export shipments require phytosanitary certificates in accordance with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).
Sustainability and sourcing:
- The species is not currently assessed as threatened; however, localized over‑harvesting has been reported.
- Sustainable forest management and plantation cultivation are promoted; certification schemes such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) provide traceability.
- Management plans in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and other Caribbean countries aim to maintain harvest levels within sustainable limits, with typical rotation cycles of 30–40 years.
- Harvest quotas set by national forestry agencies aim to keep extraction within sustainable levels.
- Community‑based forest management initiatives in some islands involve local stakeholders in harvest planning.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Guarea demerarana | C.DC. | Monogr. Phan. 1: 549 (1878) |
| Guarea grandiflora | Steud. | Nomencl. Bot. [Steudel], ed. 2. 1: 709. 1840 |
| Guarea perrottetiana | A.Juss. | Bull. Sci. Nat. Geol. 23: 240. 1830 {Nov 1830] , as 'Perrotetiana' |
| Guarea perrottetii | Griseb. | Fl. Brit. W. I. : 131 (1859) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| Portuguese | saco-de-gambá |
Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Guarea macrophylla subsp. pachycarpa | (C.DC.) T.D.Penn. | Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 28: 289 (1981) |
| Guarea macrophylla subsp. pendulispica | (C.DC.) T.D.Penn. | Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 28: 290 (1981) |
| Guarea macrophylla subsp. spicaeflora | (A.Juss.) T.D.Penn. | Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 28: 287 (1981) |
| Guarea macrophylla subsp. tuberculata | (Vell.) T.D.Penn. | Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 28: 285 (1981) |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!
No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Southern America click to expand
-
Brazil
- Brazil North
- Brazil Northeast
- Brazil South
- Brazil Southeast
- Brazil West-central
-
Caribbean
- Leeward Islands
- Windward Islands
-
Central America
- Costa Rica
- Panamá
-
Northern South America
- French Guiana
- Guyana
- Suriname
- Venezuela
-
Southern South America
- Argentina Northeast
- Paraguay
- Uruguay
-
Western South America
- Bolivia
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Peru
-
Brazil
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000710954 |
| Tropicos | 20400613 |
| INPN | 629789 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:578653-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-2834067 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 276637 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 155638 |
| IUCN Red List | 62968 |
| IPNI | 578653-1 |
| iNaturalist | 281611 |
| GBIF | 7271393 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives / P-methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives | |||||
| 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxy-6-propylbenzoic acid | 15595747 | Click to see CCCC1=C(C(=CC(=C1)OC)O)C(=O)O | 210.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00123-1 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids | |||||
| (3S,4aS,4bS,7S,10aS)-7-ethenyl-1,1,4a,7-tetramethyl-3,4,4b,5,6,8,10,10a-octahydro-2H-phenanthren-3-ol | 101716771 | Click to see | 288.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00302-2 |
| (E)-5-[(4aS,8aS)-2,5,5,8a-tetramethyl-3,4,4a,6,7,8-hexahydronaphthalen-1-yl]-3-methylpent-2-en-1-ol | 12109350 | Click to see CC1=C(C2(CCCC(C2CC1)(C)C)C)CCC(=CCO)C | 290.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00302-2 |
| 5-(2,5,5,8a-Tetramethyl-3,4,4a,6,7,8-hexahydronaphthalen-1-yl)-3-methylpent-2-en-1-ol | 162868057 | Click to see CC1=C(C2(CCCC(C2CC1)(C)C)C)CCC(=CCO)C | 290.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00302-2 |
| 7-ethenyl-1,1,4a,7-tetramethyl-3,4,4b,5,6,8,10,10a-octahydro-2H-phenanthren-3-ol | 74034790 | Click to see CC1(CC(CC2(C1CC=C3C2CCC(C3)(C)C=C)C)O)C | 288.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00302-2 |
| Isopimara-7,15-dien-3beta-ol | 15541537 | Click to see | 288.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00302-2 |
| Pimara-7,15-dien-3-ol | 620519 | Click to see | 288.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00302-2 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Menthane monoterpenoids | |||||
| (L)-alpha-terpineol | 443162 | Click to see | 154.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00302-2 |
| Alpha-Terpineol | 17100 | Click to see | 154.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00302-2 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Aromadendrane sesquiterpenoids / 5,10-cycloaromadendrane sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| (1aR,4R,4aS,7R,7aS,7bR)-1,1,4,7-tetramethyl-2,3,4,5,6,7,7a,7b-octahydro-1aH-cyclopropa[h]azulen-4a-ol | 129416164 | Click to see CC1CCC2(C1C3C(C3(C)C)CCC2C)O | 222.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00302-2 |
| (1aS,4aS,7S,7aR,7bS)-1,1,7-trimethyl-4-methylidene-1a,2,3,4a,5,6,7a,7b-octahydrocyclopropa[h]azulen-7-ol | 97032059 | Click to see | 220.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00302-2 |
| (7aR)-1,1,7-trimethyl-4-methylidene-1a,2,3,4a,5,6,7a,7b-octahydrocyclopropa[h]azulen-7-ol | 5321422 | Click to see | 220.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00302-2 |
| beta-Spathulenol | 522266 | Click to see | 220.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00302-2 |
| Ledum camphor | 92812 | Click to see | 222.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00302-2 |
| Ledum camphor | 22297324 | Click to see CC1CCC2C1C3C(C3(C)C)CCC2(C)O | 222.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00302-2 |
| Npc239037 | 101716 | Click to see | 222.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00302-2 |
| Palustrol | 110745 | Click to see CC1CCC2(C1C3C(C3(C)C)CCC2C)O | 222.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00302-2 |
| Spathulenol | 92231 | Click to see CC1(C2C1C3C(CCC3(C)O)C(=C)CC2)C | 220.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00302-2 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Guaianes | |||||
| CID 15541534 | 15541534 | Click to see | 222.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00302-2 |
| cis-Guai-6-en-10-ol | 91747157 | Click to see | 222.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00302-2 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| 3-ethenyl-3,4a,7,7,10a-pentamethyl-2,5,6,6a,8,9,10,10b-octahydro-1H-benzo[f]chromene | 518574 | Click to see CC1(CCCC2(C1CCC3(C2CCC(O3)(C)C=C)C)C)C | 290.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00302-2 |
| Labd-14-ene, 8,13-epoxy-, (13S)- | 6432025 | Click to see CC1(CCCC2(C1CCC3(C2CCC(O3)(C)C=C)C)C)C | 290.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00302-2 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Cycloartanols and derivatives | |||||
| (1S,3R,6S,8R,11S,12S,15R,16R)-15-[(2S,3S)-3-hydroxy-6-methyl-5-methylideneheptan-2-yl]-7,7,12,16-tetramethylpentacyclo[9.7.0.01,3.03,8.012,16]octadecan-6-ol | 163043715 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00123-1 |
| (1S,3R,6S,8R,11S,12S,15R,16R)-15-[(E,2R)-6-hydroxy-6-methylhept-4-en-2-yl]-7,7,12,16-tetramethylpentacyclo[9.7.0.0^{1,3.0^{3,8.0^{12,16]octadecan-6-ol | 496638 | Click to see CC(CC=CC(C)(C)O)C1CCC2(C1(CCC34C2CCC5C3(C4)CCC(C5(C)C)O)C)C | 442.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00123-1 |
| (1S,3R,8R,11S,12S,15R,16R)-15-[(2R,4R)-4-hydroxy-6-methylhept-5-en-2-yl]-7,7,12,16-tetramethylpentacyclo[9.7.0.01,3.03,8.012,16]octadecan-6-one | 162950932 | Click to see | 440.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00123-1 |
| (1S,3R,8R,11S,12S,15R,16R)-15-[(2R)-6-hydroxy-6-methylhept-4-en-2-yl]-7,7,12,16-tetramethylpentacyclo[9.7.0.01,3.03,8.012,16]octadecan-6-one | 131848483 | Click to see | 440.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00123-1 |
| (1S,3R,8R,11S,12S,15R,16R)-15-[(E,2S,3S)-3,6-dihydroxy-6-methylhept-4-en-2-yl]-7,7,12,16-tetramethylpentacyclo[9.7.0.01,3.03,8.012,16]octadecan-6-one | 162852225 | Click to see CC(C1CCC2(C1(CCC34C2CCC5C3(C4)CCC(=O)C5(C)C)C)C)C(C=CC(C)(C)O)O | 456.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00123-1 |
| (1S,3R,8R,11S,12S,15R,16R)-7,7,12,16-tetramethyl-15-[(2R,4E)-6-methylhepta-4,6-dien-2-yl]pentacyclo[9.7.0.01,3.03,8.012,16]octadecan-6-one | 22297599 | Click to see | 422.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00123-1 |
| (1S,3R,8R,11S,12S,15R,16R)-7,7,12,16-tetramethyl-15-[(2R)-6-methyl-4-oxohept-5-en-2-yl]pentacyclo[9.7.0.01,3.03,8.012,16]octadecan-6-one | 101618850 | Click to see | 438.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00123-1 |
| (1S,3R,8R,11S,12S,15R,16R)-7,7,12,16-tetramethyl-15-[(2S,4E)-6-methylhepta-4,6-dien-2-yl]pentacyclo[9.7.0.01,3.03,8.012,16]octadecan-6-one | 163191428 | Click to see | 422.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00302-2 |
| (6R)-6-[(1S,3R,6S,8R,11S,12S,15R,16R)-6-hydroxy-7,7,12,16-tetramethyl-15-pentacyclo[9.7.0.01,3.03,8.012,16]octadecanyl]-2-methylhept-2-en-4-one | 101637203 | Click to see | 440.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00123-1 |
| 15-(3-Hydroxy-6-methyl-5-methylideneheptan-2-yl)-7,7,12,16-tetramethylpentacyclo[9.7.0.01,3.03,8.012,16]octadecan-6-ol | 163043714 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00123-1 |
| 15-(3,6-Dihydroxy-6-methylhept-4-en-2-yl)-7,7,12,16-tetramethylpentacyclo[9.7.0.01,3.03,8.012,16]octadecan-6-one | 73880611 | Click to see CC(C1CCC2(C1(CCC34C2CCC5C3(C4)CCC(=O)C5(C)C)C)C)C(C=CC(C)(C)O)O | 456.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00123-1 |
| 15-(4-Hydroxy-6-methylhept-5-en-2-yl)-7,7,12,16-tetramethylpentacyclo[9.7.0.01,3.03,8.012,16]octadecan-6-one | 162950930 | Click to see CC(CC(C=C(C)C)O)C1CCC2(C1(CCC34C2CCC5C3(C4)CCC(=O)C5(C)C)C)C | 440.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00123-1 |
| 25-Hydroxycycloart-23-en-3-one | 44423578 | Click to see | 440.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00123-1 |
| 6-(6-Hydroxy-7,7,12,16-tetramethyl-15-pentacyclo[9.7.0.01,3.03,8.012,16]octadecanyl)-2-methylhept-2-en-4-one | 163015474 | Click to see | 440.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00123-1 |
| 7,7,12,16-Tetramethyl-15-(6-methylhepta-4,6-dien-2-yl)pentacyclo[9.7.0.01,3.03,8.012,16]octadecan-6-one | 73880678 | Click to see CC(CC=CC(=C)C)C1CCC2(C1(CCC34C2CCC5C3(C4)CCC(=O)C5(C)C)C)C | 422.70 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00123-1 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00302-2 |
| Cycloart-23-ene-3beta,25-diol | 5470009 | Click to see CC(CC=CC(C)(C)O)C1CCC2(C1(CCC34C2CCC5C3(C4)CCC(C5(C)C)O)C)C | 442.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(02)00123-1 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| (-)-beta-Sitosterol | 222284 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00302-2 |
| 17-(5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | 86821 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00302-2 |
| Stigmast-5-en-3-ol | 22012 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00302-2 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |