Crinodendron hookerianum

Crinodendron hookerianum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Oxalidales
Family:	Elaeocarpaceae
Genus:	Crinodendron
Species:	C. hookerianum
Binomial name
Crinodendron hookerianum Gay

Crinodendron hookerianum known as Chilean Lantern Tree is an evergreen tree endemic to Chile in the Elaeocarpaceae family, it grows from Cautin to Palena (38 to 43°S). It occurs near streams or very humid sites or highly shady places.

Description

It is a shrub or small tree that measures up to 8 metres (26 ft) tall and 30 centimetres (12 in) in diameter, ash color. The leaves are alternate, with toothed edge and lanceolate shaped with acute apex, petiolate, 4-7 cm long and 0.7-1.8 wide, dark green above and hairy whitish green below. The flowers are hermaphrodite, solitary and axillary, pinkish to red. Pedicels about 3-6 cm long, the calyx is formed by 5 fused sepals green colored, the bell-shaped Corolla made up by 5 free petals which end in 3 teeth, 15-18 stamen, with the style longer than the stamen. The fruit is a capsule with 3 to 5 valves. The seeds are roundish.

Uses

Its beautiful flowers make it a highly valued ornamental tree. It has been planted as far north as Scotland^[1].

Etymology

Crinodendron (Greek: beautiful flowers’ tree) and hookerianum in honor of William Jackson Hooker, English botanist who studied many Chilean plants

External links

1. ^ "Crinodendron hookerianum at Glendoick Gardens, Angus, Scotland". Rampant Scotland. http://www.rampantscotland.com/visit/glendoick06.htm. Retrieved 2010-04-01. 

• "Crinodendron hookerianum". Enciclopedia de la Flora Chilena. http://www.florachilena.cl/Niv_tax/Angiospermas/Ordenes/Oxidales/Eleocarpaceae/Crinodendron/Crinodendron%20hookerianum/Crinodendron%20hookerianum.htm. Retrieved 2010-29-03. 
• "Crinodendron hookerianum". Chilebosque. http://www.chilebosque.cl/shrb/crhook.html. Retrieved 2010-29-03. 
• "Crinodendron hookerianum". The Magic of Life Butterfly House, Wales. http://www.magicoflife.org/flower_photos/Crinodendron.html. Retrieved 2010-04-01.