Coccoloba diversifolia

Coccoloba diversifolia

Coccoloba diversifolia is a species of the genus Coccoloba in the family of the buckwheat family ( Polygonaceae ). This evergreen tree native to tropical America.

Description

Coccoloba diversifolia grows as a evergreen tree, reaching heights of growth of about 10 to 14 meters, rarely to 25 meters; it will be up to about 60 cm trunk diameter reached. The bark of the trunk is reddish brown and will remain long smooth. In old trees the bark breaks up in scales. The leaves are smooth-edged and oval to oblong. The leathery leaves are rounded or pointed; the leaf margin is slightly wavy. On top of the leaves are fresh green, slightly matte on the bottom. The leaves are 7-10 cm long and 4-5 cm wide; they are quite variable in color, shape and size.

The white flowers are available in a variety of a 5-8 cm long spindle-shaped inflorescence. The fruits are bright red when ripe; they are about 8 mm in size and edible. The fruits are of birds, especially species of the family of pigeons ( Columbidae ), eaten.

The tree is wind -resistant and salt- resistant, but does not tolerate severe frost. It prefers sandy soils and comes with droughts along well.

Dissemination

The home of this plant lies in tropical America. Their range extends from Florida and Mexico to the south into parts of Central America (Belize, Guatemala ) and the Caribbean islands (Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica and Puerto Rico).

Use

The fruits of Coccoloba diversifolia are edible.

Coccoloba diversifolia is often planted among other things, in Florida as an ornamental tree.

The wood of this tree is hard and dark red-brown, but also brittle. It is used commercially to a limited extent.

System

The first description comes from the Austrian botanist Nicholas Joseph von Jacquin and was published in 1760 .. Synonyms are Coccoloba floridana Meisn. and Coccoloba laurifolia auct ..