Ocotea porosa | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Magnoliids |
Order: | Laurales |
Family: | Lauraceae |
Genus: | Ocotea |
Species: | O. porosa |
Binomial name | |
Ocotea porosa (Nees & Martius) Barroso | |
Synonyms [2] | |
Ocotea porosa is a species of plant in the Lauraceae, often placed in the related genus Phoebe . It is commonly called imbuia or Brazilian walnut [3] because its wood resembles that of some walnuts (to which it is not related). The tree is a major commercial timber species in Brazil, used for high-end furniture, mostly as decorative veneers, and as flooring. [4] The wood is very hard, measuring 3,684 lbf (16,390 N) on the Janka scale. The wood is also fragrant [5] with hints of nutmeg and cinnamon (also a member of the Lauraceae). The tree is also a popular horticultural tree in subtropical regions of the world. In its native habitat it is a threatened species.
Portuguese common names (with variant spellings) include embuia, embúia, embuya, imbuia, imbúia, imbuya, canela-imbuia.
The tree grows naturally in the subtropical montane Araucaria forests of southern Brazil, mostly in the states of Paraná and Santa Catarina (where it is the official state tree since 1973), and in smaller numbers in São Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul. The species may also occur in adjacent Argentina and/or Paraguay. [6]
The trees typically reach 40 meters in height and 1.8 meters in trunk diameter. [7]
Lauraceae, or the laurels, is a plant family that includes the true laurel and its closest relatives. This family comprises about 2850 known species in about 45 genera worldwide. They are dicotyledons, and occur mainly in warm temperate and tropical regions, especially Southeast Asia and South America. Many are aromatic evergreen trees or shrubs, but some, such as Sassafras, are deciduous, or include both deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs, especially in tropical and temperate climates. The genus Cassytha is unique in the Lauraceae in that its members are parasitic vines. Most laurels are highly-poisonous.
Ocotea is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Lauraceae. Many are evergreen trees with lauroid leaves.
The Araucaria moist forests, officially classified as mixed ombrophilous forest in Brazil, are a montane subtropical moist forest ecoregion. The forest ecosystem is located in southern Brazil and northeastern Argentina. The ecoregion is a southern portion of the Atlantic Forest. The ecoregion also includes select areas of open field called "campos de cima da serra" or "coxilhas".
Aniba rosaeodora, also known as pau-rosa, is a species of Magnoliid tree in the family Lauraceae. Although sometimes wrongly referred to as rosewood this name is totally misleading; it is no tree of the genus Dalbergia. It grows in parts of the tropical rainforest of South America. It is an endangered species that sees exploitation for its essential oil.
Ocotea aciphylla is a species of Ocotea in the plant family Lauraceae. It forms a tree 12–18 m tall. It has small hermaphrodite flowers of 3–4 mm long. It is found in the Amazon river basin mostly to 1200 m.
Ocotea basicordatifolia is a species of Ocotea in the plant family Lauraceae.
Ocotea catharinensis is a member of the plant family Lauraceae. It is a slow-growing evergreen, a valuable hardwood tree of broad ecological importance, and it is threatened by habitat loss and by overexploitation for its timber and essential oils.
Ocotea cymbarum is a species of Ocotea in the plant family Lauraceae. It is an evergreen tree found in Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Ocotea harrisii is a species of plant in the genus Ocotea of the family Lauraceae. It is an evergreen tree endemic to Jamaica. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Ocotea lancilimba is a species of plant in the family Lauraceae. It is an evergreen tree in the genus Ocotea. It is endemic to Mauritius. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.
Ocotea langsdorffii is a species of plant in the family Lauraceae.
Ocotea odorifera is a species of plant in the family Lauraceae. It is an evergreen tree in the genus Ocotea.
Ocotea puberula is a species of evergreen tree in the plant genus Ocotea of the family Lauraceae. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Mexico, Peru, and Suriname.
Ocotea rivularis is a species of evergreen tree in the plant genus Ocotea of the family Lauraceae. It is endemic to Costa Rica.
Ocotea rotundata is a species of evergreen tree in the genus of plants Ocotea, in the family Lauraceae. It is endemic to Ecuador. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Ocotea rugosa is a species of evergreen tree to 10 m (33 ft) tall in the plant genus Ocotea, in the family Lauraceae. It is endemic to Andean Ecuador at an altitude of 1,700 to 2,500 m. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and cloud forest. This species requires moisture and protection of other trees for growing. The principal threats are fires, grazing, and the conversion of forest to farmland.
Ocotea staminoides is a species of evergreen tree in the plant genus Ocotea of the family Lauraceae. It is endemic to Jamaica.
Ocotea uxpanapana is a species of plant in the family Lauraceae. It is a species of evergreen tree in the genus Ocotea.
Ocotea viridiflora is a species of plant, an evergreen tree in the genus Ocotea of the family Lauraceae. It is found in Panama and possibly Costa Rica.
Phoebe zhennan is a large species of tree, up to 30 metres (98 ft) tall, in the genus Phoebe of the family Lauraceae. The name "Zhennan" is the transcription of one of the tree's Chinese names, 桢楠. It is endemic to China where it occurs in Guizhou, Hubei, and Sichuan provinces. The species is threatened by habitat loss, and so is under second-class national protection in China. In the past, wood from this tree, referred to as nanmu in China was so valuable that only royal families could afford their use. Notably, whole logs of Phoebe zhennan wood were used to create pillars for the Forbidden City.