Alfaroa costaricensis

Alfaroa costaricensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Fagales
Family: Juglandaceae
Subfamily: Engelhardioideae
Genus: Alfaroa
Species: A. costaricensis
Binomial name
Alfaroa costaricensis
Standl.

Alfaroa costaricensis, also known as campano chile, chiciscua, gaulin, gavilán colorado,[1] or gavilancillo, is nut bearing timber tree in the Juglandaceae family. It is native to the Neotropics, from Mexico, through Central America to Colombia.

Contents

Habitat

A. costaricensis normally grows in cloudy areas on well-drained soils with slopes of 5% or more at elevations between 600 and 2200 m which receive 1500-2500 mm of precipitation and sustain temperatures of 15 to 20°C. This tree does not grow well in the shade.

Description

A. costaricensis is a slow growing tree with pink heartwood. It can reach 27 m in height and 60 cm diameter at breast height (d.b.h.).[2]

The seed is a nut, one-chambered at the apex and eight-chambered at the base, which measures 1.6 to 2.5 cm long and 1.4 to 1.6 cm in diameter, and is protected by a hard, thick, brown pericarp. Germination is hypogeal. The leaves are pinately compound, and are distinguishable from other species by their heavy pubescence. The male inflorescences is a panicle, consisting of approximately ten catkins arranged alternately. The female flowers are sessile on a catkin.[3]

Uses

Timber

A. costaricensis wood is attractive but difficult to saw and finish. It is used for furniture, posts, building lumber, and the production of charcoal.[2]

Wildlife food

Rodents consume many nuts.

References

  1. ^ Giddy, Ian. (2004). Alfaroa costaricensis (Gualín, campano chile). Cloudbridge.
  2. ^ a b Arnáez, E.; Moreira, I. (2002). "Alfaroa costaricensis Standl.". In Vozzo, J.A.. Tropical tree seed manual - Part II, Species descriptions (A to C). Agriculture Handbook. 721. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service. doi:ah721_pt2_1. http://www.rngr.net/publications/ttsm/species/Alaforoa%20costaricensis.pdf/at_download/file. 
  3. ^ A picture of a female inflorescence can be found at Alfaroa costaricensis PlantSystematics.org. A line drawing of a branch with leaves and of female flowers can be found in Arnáez, E.; Moreira, I. (2002). "Alfaroa costaricensis Standl.". In Vozzo, J.A.. Tropical tree seed manual - Part II, Species descriptions (A to C). Agriculture Handbook. 721. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service. doi:ah721_pt2_1. http://www.rngr.net/publications/ttsm/species/Alaforoa%20costaricensis.pdf/at_download/file. . A picture of a complete tree can be found at Cloudbridge.

External links

External identifiers for Alfaroa costaricensis
NCBI 139922