Nothofagus pumilio

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Nothofagus pumilio

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Fagales
Family:	Nothofagaceae
Genus:	Nothofagus
Species:	N. pumilio

Binomial name

Nothofagus pumilio
(Poepp. & Endl.) Krasser

Nothofagus pumilio (Lenga Beech or Lenga) is a deciduous tree or shrub native to the southern area of the Andes range, in the temperate forests of Chile and Argentina down to Tierra del Fuego, from 35° to 56° South latitude. In southern Patagonia it grows to a height of up to 30 m (100 ft), and attains a trunk diameter of 1.5 m (5 ft). In more northern regions it grows only at heights above 1000 meters (3300 ft) in the form of a shrub. The leaves are dark green, elliptic thooted and 2–4 cm long, with irregularly lobed margins, and turn to yellow and reddish tones in autumn. The fruit is a small nut 4–7 mm long.

Lenga's Forests in Aisen Region, Chile

The Lenga Beech can be found in the Torres del Paine National Park, Tierra del Fuego National Park, Los Alerces National Park and Nahuel Huapi National Park among other places. It belongs to the same genus as the coihue. It grows in areas with low temperatures and plenty of snow, therefore in the north half of its distribution it is found only in the Andes Range and at sea level on its southernmost natural environment. It tolerates temperatures −30 °C (−22 °F) and lower and frosts all seasons of the year. It regenerates easily after fires. It grows well in Scotland. The wood has good quality, moderate durable, easy-to-work. It is used in furniture, shingles and construction and sometimes as a substitute for American Black Cherry in the manufacturing of cabinets.

[edit] References and External links

Donoso, C. 2005. Árboles nativos de Chile. Guía de reconocimiento. Edición 4. Marisa Cuneo Ediciones, Valdivia, Chile. 136p.
Hoffmann, Adriana. 1998. Flora Silvestre de Chile, Zona Central. Edición 4. Fundación Claudio Gay, Santiago. 254p.
Rodríguez, R. & Quezada, M. 2003. Fagaceae. En C. Marticorena y R. Rodríguez [eds.], Flora de Chile Vol. 2(2), pp 64-76. Universidad de Concepción, Concepción.