Weinmannia trichosperma

Weinmannia trichosperma, the tineo, is an evergreen tree in the family of Cunoniaceae, it is native to Chile and Argentina: 35 to 47°S. endemic to laurel forest habitat.

Tineo
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Oxalidales
Family: Cunoniaceae
Genus: Weinmannia
Species:
W. trichosperma
Binomial name
Weinmannia trichosperma

Description

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Weinmannia trichosperma grows up to 30 m (100 ft) high. It has a straight trunk up to 1 m (3 ft) in diameter and gray, fissured bark. The leaves are imparipinnate and opposite. Between the leaflets there are triangular wings giving each pair a rhomboid outline. There are two deciduous stipules at the base of the leaves. The leaves are about 3–8 cm long and 2–4 cm wide, and the leaflets are 0.6–1.6 cm long and 0.6–1.0 cm wide and toothed. The foliage tends to be sparse and spread out.

The flowers are hermaphrodite, small, white and clustered in racemes. The calyx is made up of 4–5 imbricate sepals; the corolla has 3–5 composite petals; the androecium has 8-10 stamens; the gynoecium has a superior ovary with 2 carpels and white stigmas.

The fruit is a leathery obovate capsule which is divided in two. In autumn the capsule turns bright red, and is 6–9 mm long and 2 mm wide. It opens in the middle between the styles. The seeds are ellipsoid, light brown, with scattered white hairs and small: 1 mm long and 0.6 mm wide.

 
Detail of the leaves

Cultivation and uses

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The bark can be used to tan leather. W.  trichosperma is used as an ornamental tree in Chile. The flowers are used by introduced European bees to make a delicious honey. The wood is hard and exhibits a vivid grain pattern of darker and lighter colouration, making it highly prized for decorative uses. It thrives in cool and moist climates, and it succeeds as an ornamental in Northern Ireland, Scotland, some parts of England and in the North Pacific Coast of the United States.

Etymology

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Weinmannia, for German botanist J. A. Weinmann (1782–1858); trichosperma, from Latin: hairy seeds. And tineo, Mapuche name.

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  1. ^ Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) & IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2018). "Weinmannia trichosperma". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T61990715A135696938. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T61990715A135696938.en. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  2. ^ "Weinmannia trichosperma Cav". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  3. ^ "Weinmannia trichosperma Cav". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000. n.d. Retrieved November 25, 2022.