| Tiaca | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Oxalidales |
| Family: | Cunoniaceae |
| Genus: | Caldcluvia |
| Species: | C. paniculosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Caldcluvia paniculata (Cav.) D.Don |
|
Caldcluvia paniculata, known as Tiaca is an evergreen tree native to Chile in the Cunoniaceae family. It is found from Ñuble to Aisén (36 to 45°S).
Contents |
It can measure up to 30 m (65 ft) in height and up to 60 cm (24 in) in diameter. The bark is grayish-brown. The leaves are oppositely arranged, toothed edge, oblong and lanceolate shaped. 7-15 long, 2–4 cm wide, with the apex and base acute. Glossy green above and whitish and somewhat hairy below, the petioles are fluted and hairy about 0-7-1 cm long. The white flowers clustered in axillary peduncles are hermaphrodite, peduncles and pedicels are hairy, 4-5 hairy sepals and more or less imbricate, 4 –5 petals alternate to the sepals. 8-10 stamens, 2 styles. The fruit is an acuminate capsule, hairy and crowned by persistent styles, inside them there are dark brown seeds dark about 1 mm long.
Caldcluvia was named after Scottish botanist Alexander Caldcleugh, who travelled to South America between 1819–1825, he collected plants for Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in England, Paniculata refers to its inflorescences.
The leaves are used as herbal tea for the treatment of colds and stomach disorders. It has been planted in Northern Ireland[1].