Kageneckia oblonga

Kageneckia oblonga
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Kageneckia
Species: K. oblonga
Binomial name
Kageneckia oblonga
Ruiz Lopez & Pavon

Kageneckia oblonga (also known as Bollen) is a species of plant in the Rosaceae family. It is endemic to Chile. K. oblonga is an evergreen tree.[1] It grows from Coquimbo to Malleco (29 to 38°S). Example occurrences are found specifically found in central Chile within the La Campana National Park and Cerro La Campana forest areas. In these areas the endangered Chilean Wine Palm, Jubaea chilensis is an associated tree species.[2]

Description

It is an evergreen small tree or shrub that measures up to 5 m (16 ft) tall, the leaves are alternate, very leathery, with toothed edge and oblong shaped, the leaves are petiolate, yellowish-green, about 3–6 cm long. The flowers are unisexual star-shaped and white, solitary or clustered in axillary inflorescences. The calyx is formed by 5 sepals, the corolla is made up by 5 petals. The male ones have 15-20 stamens. The fruit is a pentameous star-shaped capsule, about 2–3 cm in diameter. The seeds are winged.

Uses

The wood is very hard and it is used for elaborating tools, in traditional medicine it is used as emetic and laxative.

Etymology

Kageneckia in honour of Frederick von Kageneck, Austrian ambassador to Madrid. Oblonga refers to the shape of the leaves.

References

  1. ↑ Torrey Botanical Club. 1905
  2. ↑ C. Michael Hogan. 2008
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