Krugiodendron ferreum

Taxobox


regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Rosales
familia = Rhamnaceae
genus = "Krugiodendron"
species = "K. ferreum"
binomial = "Krugiodendron ferreum"
binomial_authority = (Vahl) Urban
synonyms = "Rhamnus ferreus"

"Krugiodendron ferreum", commonly known as the Black Ironwood or Leadwood, is a species of tree in the Rhamnaceae family. It is found in southern Florida, throughout the West Indies and from southern Mexico to Honduras.cite book|last= Acevedo-Rodríguez|first= Pedro|authorlink= Pedro Acevedo-Rodríguez|title=Flora of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands|series=Memoirs of The New York Botanical Garden|volume= 78|date= 1996-12-17|publisher= The New York Botanical Garden|location= Bronx, New York|isbn= 0-89327-402-X] Originally described by Martin Vahl, its specific epithet is the Latin adjective "ferreus" 'iron-like'. [cite book|author = Simpson DP| title = Cassell's Latin Dictionary | publisher = Cassell Ltd.| date = 1979|edition = 5|location = London|pages = 883| isbn=0-304-52257-0]

"Krugiodendron ferreum" is a small tree 5-10 m (15-35 ft) in height with oppositely arranged, emarginate leaves and small greenish flowers. The fruit is a drupe, 5-7 mm long which goes from green to purplish red as it matures.

It is widely cultivated in gardens or parks as a specimen tree, and is drought tolerant.

References