| Alnus acuminata | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fagales |
| Family: | Betulaceae |
| Genus: | Alnus |
| Species: | A. acuminata |
| Binomial name | |
| Alnus acuminata | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Alnus acuminata is a species of deciduous tree in the Betulaceae family. It is found in montane forests from central Mexico to Argentina. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
Alnus acuminata grows up to 25 metres (80 ft) tall with a straight trunk up to 150 centimetres (60 in) thick. The bark has many yellowish lenticels. The leaves are simple, oval with toothed margins. The inflorescences are catkins, separate male and female flowers on the same tree. The male flowers are up to 12 cm (5 in) long and pendulous, while the smaller female flowers are green, erect and resemble a small cone. After wind fertilisation, the female flowers develop into 2 cm (0.8 in) long dehiscent, woody brown fruits. There are 80 to 100 winged seeds per fruit, and these are liberated when ripe, leaving the dried out fruit husks on the tree. [10]
There are three subspecies: Alnus acuminata subsp. acuminata occurs from Colombia and Venezuela south to northern Argentina; Alnus acuminata subsp. arguta(Schltdl.) Furlow occurs from northwestern Mexico south to Panama; and Alnus acuminata subsp. glabrata(Fernald) Furlow occurs in central and southern Mexico. [11]
Alnus acuminata grows at altitudes between 1,500 and 3,200 metres (4,900 and 10,500 ft) in the mountain ranges in tropical Central and South America from Mexico to northern Argentina. It mostly grows on areas with 1000–3000 mm of rainfall, on slopes and valleys. It tolerates poor soils and acid conditions, but prefers silt or sandy silt soils. [10] It is a fast-growing tree, a pioneer species used for watershed protection and can be used for soil improvement because it has root nodules that fix nitrogen. [12]
A. acuminata demonstrates a capacity to thrive in disturbed or ecologically challenging environments. Its adaptability to infertile soils is attributed to its ability to establish both ectomycorrhizal and actinorhizal relationships. Recognized for its rapid growth, this species plays a pivotal role in enhancing soil fertility by augmenting soil organic matter, nitrogen levels, and cation-exchange capacity [13]
Given the many advantages that A. acuminata offers, the species has gained popularity in agroforestry. Farmers with an average of 130–161 Alnus trees per hectare found benefits in their contributions to carbon sequestration, a reduction of soil erosion and increased soil fertility according to a study done in northwest Rwanda. [14] Providing resources needed for daily living in the region, such as firewood, lumber, and stakes for climbing bean trees, is a further benefit.
The timber is light to mid reddish-brown and fine grained. It is used for building bridges and pilings, for making coffins, boxes, crates, furniture and plywood. It also makes a good firewood that burns steadily. [12]
Alnus acuminata has been used traditionally in Central and South American medicine to treat acute inflammation. To evaluate the effectiveness of the anti-inflammatory claims and ascertain whether the substance is safe and non-toxic, researchers performed phenolic analyses. The stem bark has been found to contain triterpenoids and diarylheptanoids, indicating that it is anti-inflammatory and is safe for ingestion. [15]
Alders are trees comprising the genus Alnus in the birch family Betulaceae. The genus comprises about 35 species of monoecious trees and shrubs, a few reaching a large size, distributed throughout the north temperate zone with a few species extending into Central America, as well as the northern and southern Andes.
Alnus incana, the grey alder or speckled alder, is a species of multi-stemmed, shrubby tree in the birch family, with a wide range across the cooler parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Tolerant of wetter soils, it can slowly spread with runners and is a common sight in swamps and wetlands. It is easily distinguished by its small cones, speckled bark and broad leaves.
Alnus jorullensis, commonly known as Mexican alder, is an evergreen or semi-evergreen alder, native to eastern and southern Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. Although previously reported from the Andes, further collections showed these to be the similar species Alnus acuminata, commonly found in South America.
Fagus mexicana, the Mexican beech or haya, is a species of beech endemic to northeastern and central Mexico, where it occurs from Nuevo León, Tamaulipas south to Hidalgo, Veracruz and Puebla. It is restricted to Tropical montane cloud forests in the Sierra Madre Oriental.
Lycopodium clavatum is the most widespread species in the genus Lycopodium in the clubmoss family.
Ostrya virginiana, the American hophornbeam, is a species of Ostrya native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia west to southern Manitoba and eastern Wyoming, southeast to northern Florida and southwest to eastern Texas. Populations from Mexico and Central America are also regarded as the same species, although some authors prefer to separate them as a distinct species, Ostrya guatemalensis. Other names include eastern hophornbeam, hardhack, ironwood, and leverwood.
Aspidosperma megalocarpon is a species of plant in the family Apocynaceae. It can be found in Belize, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Suriname, Venezuela, and NW Brazil.
Brunellia is a genus of trees. They are distributed in the mountainous regions of southern Mexico, Central America, West Indies, and South America. Brunellia is the only genus in the family Brunelliaceae. As of 2001 there were about 54 species.
Callicarpa acuminata is a species of beautyberry native to Latin America from Mexico to Bolivia. Unlike the other species of this genus, C. acuminata produces small berry-like fruits which can be dark-purple or dark blue-purple. The fruit can sometimes be white. The flowers blooms are white. The fruit grow in tight clumps and sometimes resemble grapes. They are cultivated as garden trees.
Allolepis is a genus of North American plants in the grass family.
Pterichis is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is native to South America, Central America and Jamaica.
Yucca aloifolia is the type species for the genus Yucca. Common names include aloe yucca, dagger plant, and Spanish bayonet. It grows in sandy soils, especially on sand dunes along the coast.
Caryota mitis, known as the clustering fishtail palm or fishtail palm, is a species of palm native to Tropical Asia from India to Java to southern China, now sparingly naturalized in southern Florida and in parts of Africa and Latin America. The species was originally described from Vietnam in 1790. In Florida, it grows in hummocks and in disturbed wooded areas.
Garrya ovata, with the common names eggleaf silktassel, Mexican silktassel, and eggleaf garrya, is a plant species native to New Mexico, Texas, and to central and northern Mexico.
Burmannia capitata is a plant species widespread across the West Indies and much of Latin America. It grows in wet areas at elevations less than 100 m. It has been reported from Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago, Colombia, Costa Rica, French Guiana, Guyana, Honduras, southern Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela, and the United States
Diastatea is a genus of plants native to Latin America, mostly in Mexico and Central America but with one species extending southward along the Andes to Argentina.
Alnus alnobetula is a common tree widespread across much of Europe, Asia, and North America. Many sources refer to it as Alnus viridis, the green alder, but botanically this is considered an illegitimate name synonymous with Alnus alnobetula subsp. fruticosa.
Elephantopus mollis, common names tobacco weed, and soft elephantsfoot, is a tropical species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae.
Tagetes filifolia is a New World species of marigolds in the family Asteraceae. It is widespread across much of Latin America from northern Mexico to Argentina. Common name is Irish lace despite the fact that the plant does not grow in Ireland.
The Pine–oak Forest of Puebla covers the mass of pine and oak forests in the Mexican state of Puebla.
