Coccoloba diversifolia
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Coccoloba diversifolia , illustration |
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| Jacq. |
Coccoloba diversifolia is a species of the genus Coccoloba in the knotweed family(Polygonaceae). This evergreen tree species is native to tropical America .
description
Coccoloba diversifolia grows as an evergreen tree and reaches heights of about 10 to 14 meters, rarely up to 25 meters; trunk diameters of up to 60 cm are achieved. The bark of the trunk is reddish brown and remains smooth for a long time. On old trees, the bark breaks up into scales. The leaves are smooth-edged and oval to elongated. The leathery leaves are rounded or tapering to a point; the leaf margin is slightly wavy. The leaves are fresh green on the top and a little more dull on the underside. The leaves are 7 to 10 inches long and 4 to 5 inches wide; they are quite variable in color, shape and size.
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The white flowers are in a multitude on a 5 to 8 centimeter long spindle-shaped inflorescence . The fruits turn bright red when ripe; they are about 8 mm tall and edible. The fruits are eaten by birds, especially species from the pigeon family (Columbidae).
The tree is wind and salt resistant, but does not tolerate severe frosts. It prefers sandy soils and copes well with periods of drought.
distribution
This plant is native to tropical America. Its distribution area extends from the US state of Florida and Mexico south to parts of Central America ( Belize , Guatemala ) and the Caribbean islands ( Antigua and Barbuda , Bahamas , Cuba , Jamaica and Puerto Rico ).
use
The fruits of Coccoloba diversifolia are edible.
Coccoloba diversifolia is often planted as an ornamental tree in Florida, among other places.
The wood of this tree is heavy and dark red-brown, but also brittle. It is only used commercially to a limited extent.
Systematics
The first description comes from the Austrian botanist Nikolaus Joseph von Jacquin and was published in 1760. Synonyms are Coccoloba floridana Meisn. and Coccoloba laurifolia auct.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Enum. syst. pl. 19. 1760 (Select. Stirp. Amer. Hist. 14, t. 76. 1763)
- ↑ Coccoloba diversifolia. IN: GRIN Taxonomy for Plants.
literature
- C. Frank Brockman: Trees of North America . Golden Press, New York 1986. ISBN 0-307-13658-2
Web links
- Coccoloba diversifolia In: Florida Forest Trees. (engl.)
- Coccoloba diversifolia In: edis.ifas.ufl.edu. (English, PDF file 1,349 kB)