Anadenanthera colubrina

Discussion in 'Botany Photo of the Day Submissions' started by lorax, Nov 25, 2008.

  1. lorax

    lorax Rising Contributor 10 Years

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    Anadenanthera colubrina, commonly called Huilco in Ecuador. This is a picture of a young tree, from the Imbabura province which is not part of its current typical range. However, there is a native-tree reforestation effort underway across the province which has reintroduced the Huilco. In ideal conditions, this tree will grow more than 1 metre each year until it reaches a mature height of about 20 metres.

    Huilco, which are members of the Mimosoideae tribe of the Fabaceae, are closely related to Acacia, although they lack any substantial thorns on their branches. Mature trees develop broad thorns on the trunk, similar to Ceibo. Like most of the Mimosoideae, the leaflets fold together at night. The Huilco's range is from Ecuador south through Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, and Brazil, but its value as a timber tree has caused it to become rare or threatened throughout much of its range. It is one of the few woods available in South America that is termite resistent. It is also a useful tree to the tanning industry, as the bark is very high in tannins and can be used as part of a natural or traditional tanning process.
     

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