Aextoxicon

Aextoxicon punctatum

Aextoxicon punctatum is the only species of the monotypic genus Aextoxicon, the only genus of the family of Aextoxicaceae within the small order of Berberidopsidales. In Chile this species Olivillo, Tique, Teque, Palo muerto or Aceitunillo means.

Occurrence

From this common type there is only occurrence in Central and Southern Chile in the regions IV to X, where it grows in the coastal mountain range in the Valdivian Rainforest ( Tique Forest ) and the Subantarctic forest. In Tique - forest, it is the most important tree species.

Description

Aextoxicon punctatum a large evergreen tree, the plant height of 15 to 20 meters and trunk diameter is reached of about 0.80 meters. The alternate to opposite arranged on the branches, 0.5 to 1.5 cm long stalked leaves are simple. The leaf blade is 5-9 long and 2-4 cm wide. The leaf margins are smooth. Stipules absent.

The species is dioecious getrenntgeschlechtig ( dioecious ). The racemose inflorescences are in leaf axils, the female inflorescences are much shorter than the male. The unisexual, flowers are radial symmetry fünfzählig and have a double perianth. There are five free sepals present. The five free, whitish petals are nailed. A discus is available. In the male flowers five free, fertile stamens and five staminodes are to be present. The female flowers contain staminodes and the two carpels are fused to a constant upper stamp with a pen and two scars.

The stone fruits are 1 to 1.2 cm long and 0.6 to 0.7 cm wide; they look like olives, so one of the Spanish common name Olivillo.

System

This type formerly belonged to the family of Euphorbiaceae, or the family of Aextoxicaceae to Celastrales.

In the family of Aextoxicaceae there is only one monotypic genus, Aextoxicon, with the only kind Aextoxicon punctatum Ruiz & Pav.

Swell

• The Aextoxicaceae family in APWebsite (English )
• The Aextoxicaceae at DELTA family by L. Watson & MJ Dallwitz
• Entry in the Flora Chilena. (Spanish )