Krugiodendron ferreum

Krugiodendron ferreum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rhamnaceae
Genus: Krugiodendron
Species: K. ferreum
Binomial name
Krugiodendron ferreum
(Vahl) Urban
Synonyms

Rhamnus ferreus

Krugiodendron ferreum, commonly known as the black ironwood or leadwood, is a species of tree in the buckthorn family, Rhamnaceae. It is found in southern Florida, throughout the Caribbean and from southern Mexico to Honduras.[1] Originally described by Martin Vahl, its specific epithet is the Latin adjective ferreus ("iron-like").[2]

The genus Krugiodendron contains two species, the other being Krugiodendron acuminatum. Its name honors Leopold Krug (1833-1898). The common names for this species refer to its dense wood. Typical air-dry samples have densities of approximately 1.30 g/cm3, and up to 1.42 g/cm3.[3] The tree reaches 5–10 metres (16–33 ft) in height with oppositely arranged, emarginate leaves and small greenish flowers. The fruit is a drupe 5 to 7 mm long turning purplish red as it matures.[1]

It is widely cultivated in gardens or parks as a drought-tolerant specimen tree.

External links

References

  1. 1 2 Acevedo-Rodríguez, P. (1996-12-17). Flora of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Memoirs of The New York Botanical Garden 78. Bronx, New York: The New York Botanical Garden. ISBN 0-89327-402-X.
  2. Simpson, D. P. (1979). Cassell's Latin Dictionary (5 ed.). London: Cassell Ltd. p. 883. ISBN 0-304-52257-0.
  3. Record, S. Tropical Woods, Vol. 8. 1926 (ISSN 0097-6857)


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