Krugiodendron

Krugiodendron ferreum, commonly known as the black ironwood or leadwood, is a species of tree in the family Rhamnaceae. It is found in southern Florida, throughout the Caribbean and from southern Mexico to Honduras.[1] Originally described by Martin Vahl, its specific epithet is the Latin adjective ferreus ("iron-like").[2]

Krugiodendron
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rhamnaceae
Tribe: Rhamneae
Genus: Krugiodendron
Urb.
Species:
K. ferreum
Binomial name
Krugiodendron ferreum
(Vahl) Urb.
Synonyms

Rhamnus ferrea Vahl

Taxonomy

It is the only species in the genus Krugiodendron. The genus name honors Leopold Krug (1833–1898). The common names for this species refer to its dense wood.

Description

Typical air-dry samples have densities of approximately 1.30 g/cm3, and up to 1.42 g/cm3.[3] The tree reaches 5–10 metres (16–33 ft) in height with oppositely arranged, emarginate leaves and small greenish flowers. The fruit is a drupe 5 to 7 mm long turning purplish red as it matures.[1]

It is widely cultivated in gardens or parks as a drought-tolerant specimen tree.

References
  1. Acevedo-Rodríguez, P. (1996-12-17). Flora of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Memoirs of The New York Botanical Garden. 78. Bronx, New York: The New York Botanical Garden. ISBN 0-89327-402-X.
  2. Simpson, D. P. (1979). Cassell's Latin Dictionary (5 ed.). London: Cassell Ltd. p. 883. ISBN 0-304-52257-0.
  3. Record, S. Tropical Woods, Vol. 8. 1926 (ISSN 0097-6857)


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