Embothrium coccineum J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.

Authority

Prance, Ghillean T., et al. 2007. Proteaceae. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 100: 1-218. (Published by NYBG Press)

Family

Proteaceae

Scientific Name

Embothrium coccineum J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.

Type

Type. Chile. Ad fret magell., Forster s.n. (lectotype, GOET, designated by Sleumer, 1954: 205; isolectotypes, B, BM).

Synonyms

Catas parviflora Juss., Embothrium lanceolatum Ruiz & Pav., Embothrium coccineum var. lanceolatum (Ruiz & Pav.) Kuntze, Embothrium coccineum var. cavanillesii Kuntze, Embothrium coccineum var. oblanceolatum Kuntze, Embothrium coccineum var. obovatum Kuntze, Embothrium valdivianum Gand., Embothrium gilliesii Meisn.

Description

Species Description - Tree, or shrub, to 10 m tall; bark red-purple to purple-brown; twigs lenticellate with peeling membranous pale brown-buff bark, longitudinally ridged or longitudinally ridged with short shoots transversely ridged, or transverse ridging throughout (stunted specimens from low latitudes or exposed sites); young twigs pubescent with red-brown hairs or glabrous. Leaves coriaceous (occasionally chartaceous), 0.6-10 × 0.4-2.9 cm; petiole ± winged, 2-8(-15) mm long; lamina oblong to very narrow elliptic to widely elliptic, to lanceolate to ovate (occasionally ± triangular), to oblanceolate to widely obovate; base ± symmetrical, occasionally asymmetrical, decurrent (occasionally truncate then decurrent or just ± truncate); apex acute to obtuse, mucronate; young leaves pilose above, especially the petiole and primary vein, very rarely hairy below; venation prominent to obscure, eucamptodromous to brochidodromous, often eucamptodromous becoming brochidodromous towards the leaf apex; number of secondary veins (2-)4-10. Scale leaves red, 4.5-13 × 2-10 mm, oblong to ± triangular to obovate to strap shaped, pubescent towards the apex, especially upper surface; apex mucronate to acuminate to attenuate; margin ciliate. Inflorescences generally borne on lateral short shoots, 3-10 cm long, glabrous; flowers scented, brilliant crimson-scarlet to pale brown salmon-scarlet with the peduncles and bracteoles also pigmented; bracteoles 4-6 mm, strap shaped; peduncle 0.6-2.7cm (increasing in length as the flower matures); flowers often starting to point downwards as the flowers mature into fruit; buds swollen at apex; mature flowers 2-3 cm long; gynoecium 2.2-2.8 cm to 3.5(-4) cm when perianth segments have dropped; ovary 3-5 mm long, 1-1.5 mm wide; style apex 3-5 mm long, 1-1.5 mm wide, irregularly longitudinally ridged; anthers 2-3.5 mm long, 0.8-1.5 mm wide, the filaments to ca 0.3 mm long. Fruit bilaterally symmetrical, curved on on side, straight on the other, ± ovoid in cross section, 2.4-3.8 cm long, 0.8-1.2 cm wide, dehiscing along the curved edge; stipe 4-6 mm; persistent style 1.4-2.5 cm; young dried fruits purplish, glaucous; mature fruits dark brown to reddish-brown, finely furrowed longitudinally, often with a few deeper furrows. Chromosome number 2n = 22 (Johnson and Briggs, 1963).

Discussion

The leaves of this species display considerable variation, even on an individual plant. Because this variation shows little geographic correlation, there is no meaningful basis for the recognition of intraspecific taxa.

Common Names

hotiu, Ciruelillo, notro, notru, fosforito, ciruelillu, Ciruelillo, notro

Distribution

Grows from sea level to ca 1300 m. Found in a wide variety of habitats, being able to tolerate dry soils, wet areas (e.g., the edges of sphagnum bogs) and harsh exposure. It is commonly found in forest understory if the canopy is sufficiently open, or in canopy gaps. Distributed from 36° S (Chile, Ñüble; Argentina, Prov. Nequén) to 55° S in Tierra del Fuego.

Chile South America| Argentina South America| Neuquén Argentina South America| Tierra del Fuego Argentina South America|