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Nothofagus pumilio

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Species of plant

Nothofagus pumilio
Conservation status

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fagales
Family: Nothofagaceae
Genus: Nothofagus
Subgenus: Nothofagus subg. Nothofagus
Species: N. pumilio
Binomial name
Nothofagus pumilio
(Poepp. & Endl.) Krasser
Synonyms
  • Fagus pumilio

Nothofagus pumilio, the lenga beech (from the Mapuche language), is a deciduous tree or shrub in the Nothofagaceae family that is native to the southern Andes range, in the temperate forests of Chile and Argentina to Tierra del Fuego, from 35° to 56° South latitude. This tree is in the same genus as the coihue. It regenerates easily after fires. The wood is of good quality, moderate durability, and is easy to work with. It is used in furniture, shingles and construction and sometimes as a substitute for American black cherry in the manufacturing of cabinets.

Description

In southern Patagonia it grows to a height of up to 30 m (100 ft), and attains a trunk diameter of 1.5 m (5 ft). In more northern regions it grows only at heights above 1000 meters (3300 ft) in the form of a shrub. The leaves are dark green, elliptic toothed and 2–4 cm long, with irregularly lobed margins, and turn to yellow and reddish tones in autumn. The fruit is a small nut 4–7 mm long.

Occurrence

The lenga beech can be found in the Torres del Paine National Park, Tierra del Fuego National Park, Los Alerces National Park and Nahuel Huapi National Park among other places. In its southerly range it occurs in dense stands as far south as Navarino Island. It grows in areas with low temperatures and abundant snow; therefore, in the north half of its distribution it is found only in the Andes Range and at sea level on its southernmost natural environment. It tolerates temperatures −30 °C (−22 °F) and lower, and frosts all seasons of the year.

Gallery

  • Summer leaves, Cerro Castillo reserve Summer leaves, Cerro Castillo reserve
  • Lenga forest, Aysén Region, Chile Lenga forest, Aysén Region, Chile
  • Fall lenga leaves, Cerro Catedral, Bariloche, Argentina Fall lenga leaves, Cerro Catedral, Bariloche, Argentina

Line notes

References

  1. ^ Barstow, M.; Baldwin, H.; Rivers, M.C. (2017). "Nothofagus pumilio". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T61918143A61918170. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T61918143A61918170.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. Chileflora, 2006
  3. Enciclopedia de la Flora Chilena
  4. C. Michael Hogan, 2008

External links

Nothofagaceae (southern beech) species
Nothofagus subgenus Fuscospora
(genus Fuscospora Heenan & Smissen (2013))
Nothofagus subgenus Lophozonia
(genus Lophozonia Heenan & Smissen (2013))
Nothofagus subgenus Nothofagus
(genus Nothofagus Heenan & Smissen (2013))
Nothofagus subgenus Brassospora
(genus Trisyngyne Heenan & Smissen (2013))
Taxon identifiers
Nothofagus pumilio


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