- Embothrium
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Embothrium 
Embothrium coccineum tree in flower, Wales Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots Order: Proteales Family: Proteaceae Genus: Embothrium
J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.Species See text
Embothrium is a genus of two to eight species (depending on taxonomic interpretation) in the plant family Proteaceae, native to southern South America, in Chile and adjacent western Argentina and southern Peru; the genus occurs as far south as Tierra del Fuego. Common names include Chilean Firebush in English, and Notro, Ciruelillo, Fosforito in Chilean Spanish.
They are large shrubs or trees growing to 10–20 m tall with a trunk up to 70 cm diameter. E. coccimeum and perhaps others, is also highly prone to suckering and unmanaged plants often form dense groves of many suckering shoots. The leaves are evergreen, occasionally deciduous in cold areas, 5–12 cm long and 2–4 cm broad. The flowers are produced in dense bunches, brilliant red (rarely white or yellow), tubular, 2.5-4.5 cm long, split into four lobes near the apex which reflex to expose the stamens and style.
- Species
- Embothrium coccineum J. R. Forst. & G. Forst. Chile, Argentina.
- Embothrium grandiflorum Lam. (Oreocallis grandiflora[1]) Peru, at high altitudes in the Andes.
- Embothrium lanceolatum Ruiz & Pav. (syn. E. coccineum var. lanceolatum (Ruiz & Pav.) O.Kuntze). Chile, Argentina; doubtfully distinct from E. coccineum.
Contents
Classification
Together with Telopea, Oreocallis and Alloxylon, Embothrium makes up a small group of terminal often red-flowering showy plants scattered around the southern edges of the Pacific Rim. Known as the Embothriinae, this is an ancient group with roots in the mid Cretaceous, when Australia, Antarctica and South America were linked by land.[2][3] Almost all these species have red terminal flowers, and hence the subtribe's origin and floral appearance must predate the splitting of gondwana into Australia, Antarctica, and South America over 60 million years ago. The prominent position and striking colour of many species within the subtribe both in Australia and South America strongly suggest they are adapted to pollination by birds, and have been for over 60 million years.[4]
Cultivation and uses
Embothrium coccineum is grown as an ornamental plant for its vivid red flowers. It is only successful in oceanic climates, which away from its native area includes western Europe (mainly the British Isles and the Faroe Islands), the coast of the Pacific Northwest of North America, and New Zealand. Embothrium does not tolerate the element phosphorus[citation needed] (when fertilizing, use a fertilizer with a middle number of 0, such as 15-0-5).
References
- ^ International Plant Names Index search for Oreocallis grandiflora, as of March 30, 2010
- ^ Johnson, Lawrie. A. S.; Briggs, Barbara G. (1975). "On the Proteaceae: the evolution and classification of a southern family". Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 70 (2): 83–182. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.1975.tb01644.x.
- ^ Weston, Peter H.; Barker, Nigel P. (2006). (fulltext) "A new suprageneric classification of the Proteaceae, with an annotated checklist of genera". Telopea 11 (3): 314–44. http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/80856/Tel11Wes314.pdf (fulltext). Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- ^ Nixon, Paul (1997) [1989]. The Waratah (2nd ed.). East Roseville, NSW: Kangaroo Press. p. 19. ISBN 0-86417-878-6.
External links
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Embothrium Bark
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Embothrium leaves
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Embothrium flowers
Categories:- Proteaceae genera
- Flora of South America
- Trees of Chile
- Trees of Argentina
- Trees of Peru
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