Eucryphia cordifolia

Eucryphia cordifolia
Conservation status
Near Threatened  (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Oxalidales
Family:	Cunoniaceae
Genus:	Eucryphia
Species:	E. cordifolia
Binomial name
Eucryphia cordifolia Cav.
Synonyms
Eucryphia glutinosa (Poepp. & Endl.) Baill. Eucryphia nymansensis J.Bausch Eucryphia patagonica Speg. Eucryphia pinnatifolia Gay Fagus glutinosa Poepp. & Endl.

Eucryphia cordifolia (Ulmo) is a species of tree in the Cunoniaceae family. It is found in Chile and Argentina. It is threatened by logging and habitat loss. The natural habitat is along the Andes Range from 38 to 43°S, and up to 700 meters (2300 ft) above sea level. It is a very elegant tree with a thick trunk and wide crown and can become over 12 m (40 ft) high. It blooms in February and March, depending on latitude and altitude. The fruit is a capsule about 1.5 cm (0.6 in) length.

Cultivation and uses

Its flowers contain a highly appreciated aromatic nectar, harvested by introduced European bees and commercialized as "ulmo honey" (miel de Ulmo). The wood is light brown to brown, heavy, moderately firm, rather hard and quite resistant to decay. It is used locally for construction and very extensively as firewood.

It also grows well in Scotland and has been planted in the North Pacific Coast of the United States.

Chemical composition

Eucryphin, a chromone rhamnoside, can be isolated from the bark of E. cordifolia.

References

• González, M. 1998. Eucryphia cordifolia. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 21 August 2007.
• "Eucryphia cordifolia". Enciclopedia de la Flora Chilena. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
• "Pictures and description of Eucryphia cordifolia". PlantenTuin Esveld. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
• "Eucryphia cordifolia in Washington Park Arboretum" (PDF). Washington Park Arboretum. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
• "Eucryphia cordifolia makes gaseous biodiesel!". Autobloggreen. Retrieved 2009-06-27.