Conocarpus erectus (Introduced)

Conocarpus erectus L., Sp. Pl. 147 1753. (syn: Conocarpus acutifolius Willd.; Conocarpus erectus var. arboreus DC.; Conocarpus erectus var. procumbens DC.; Conocarpus procumbens L.; Conocarpus pubescens Schumach.; Conocarpus sericea Forst. ex G. Don; Conocarpus sericeus (Griseb.) Jimenez; Conocarpus supina Crantz; Terminalia erecta Baill.; Terminalia erecta var. procumbens (Jacq.) M.Gómez);
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Conocarpus erectus, one of two species in the genus Conocarpus, is a mangrove shrub and tree in the family Combretaceae growing on shorelines in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including Florida, Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Central and South America from Mexico to Brazil on the Atlantic coast and Mexico to Ecuador on the Pacific coast, western Africa and in Melanesia and Polynesia. It was introduced in Kuwait because it can thrive in high temperatures and absorbs brackish water.

English common names include buttonwood, buttonbush, button mangrove, button-tree, false mangrove, Florida button, Florida buttonwood, green buttonwood, grey mangrove and Zaragoza mangrove. See also the section Common names in other languages below.
C. erectus is usually a dense multiple-trunked shrub, 1–4 m (3.3–13.1 ft) tall, but can grow into a tree up to 20 m (66 ft) or more tall, with a trunk up to 1 m (3.3 ft) in diameter. The United States National Champion green buttonwood is 35 ft (11 m) tall, has a spread of 70 ft (21 m), and a circumference of 207 in (530 cm).[2] The bark is thick and has broad plates of thin scales which are gray to brown. The twigs are brittle, and angled or narrowly winged in cross-section. The leaves are alternately arranged, simple and oblong, 2–7 cm (0.79–2.76 in) long (rarely to 10 cm or 3.9 in long) and 1–3 cm (0.39–1.18 in) broad, with a tapering tip and an entire margin. They are dark green and shiny on top, and paler with fine silky hairs underneath, and have two salt glands at the base of each leaf.[3] The fruits are button-like (from which the common names derive), 5–8 mm (0.20–0.31 in) diameter, with no petals; they are produced in stalked panicles of 35-56 flowers. The fruit is a cluster of red to brown, small scaly, two-winged cone-like seeds, 5–15 mm (0.20–0.59 in) long. The seed heads burst when ripe, and the seeds are dispersed by water.
It is generally found growing in brackish water in tidal lagoons and bays, but can grow in inland habitats, with records at up to 745 m (2,444 ft) altitude in Costa Rica.[3]
The tree is used as an ornamental plant and in bonsai. The variety sericeus, with silvery leaves, is especially prized for landscaping. It is an important host plant for epiphytes. As a result of ornamental planting, it has become naturalized in Hawaii. It has been used extensively in landscaping in Kuwait and became the most abundant tree/shrub. Conocarpus is widely believed to be fodder for the African buffalo, and it is understood that this is the source of their acidic urine.[citation needed]
The wood is sometimes used in cabinets; it is difficult to work but takes a smooth finish. It is also used as firewood, and is reported to be good for smoking meat and fish, as it burns very hot and slowly; it also makes high quality charcoal. The bark is high in tannin, for which it has been harvested commercially.
(from Wikipedia on 14.9.16)
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Conocarpus sericeus: 6 high res. images.
(Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus)

SavarKundla, Gujarat ,
September 27, 2022

Conocarpus erectus L. as per POWO.

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This Species of Conocarpus was seen in a cultivated garden in March,16.
Since this name came up in one of the posts recently, thought of adding these pictures.
A new addition to Eflora.

Thanks a lot, …, for the new addition.

 

Comments

  1. Nael M. Fawzi

    Please I need your help.
    I could not find out. The botanical distinctive features between both Conocarpus erectus and Conocarpus lancifolius Engl.

    The plant list (http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/search?q=Conocarpus) considered the two varieties (silver and green) of Conocarpus erectus are a synonym of Conocarpus erectus L.
    The World Flora Online (http://www.worldfloraonline.org/image/165455) considered the silver one is Conocarpus erectus L. so we can consider the green one is Conocarpus lancifolius Engl.?
    Thank you for your help.
    Best regards
    Nael