Temu cruckshanksii (Mapudungun: temu) is a species of flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae.[1][2] It is endemic to central and southern Chile. It is threatened by habitat loss.
| Temu cruckshanksii | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Temu O.Berg (1861)[2] |
| Species: | T. cruckshanksii
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| Binomial name | |
| Temu cruckshanksii (Hook. & Arn.) O.Berg (1861)[2]
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| Synonyms[2] | |
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Synonymy
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Taxonomy
editThe species was described as Temu cruckshanksii by Otto Karl Berg in 1861,[3] but was later placed in the genus Blepharocalyx. After phylogenetic analyses of the tribe Mytreae found Blepharocalyx to be polyphyletic,[4] the species was returned to the genus Temu in 2019.[5]
Description
editThe plant grows to be 15 meters with a trunk diameter of approximately 50 centimeters. The bark is smooth and reddish brown. Leaves are oval-shaped, while the flowers are white and arranged in inflorescences. Fruits are round, dark brown with hints of reddish tone, and taste bitter.
The toponym of Temuco, a city in southern Chile, derives from this species, meaning in the Mapuche language "Temu water" or "temu in the water" ("co" means water in the Mapuche language).
Range and habitat
editTemu cruckshanksii is endemic to central and southern Chile, ranging from Aconcagua in Valparaíso Region in the north to Llanquihue in Los Lagos Region in the south.[1]
It grows in temperate forests, and in relict coastal forests in the mediterranean-climate north. It grows in humid and shady places or on the banks of watercourses in both the Chilean Coast Range and the foothills of the Andes from 400 to 1,000 meters of elevation. It does not tolerate regular snow, but can withstand occasional short-duration frosts to approximately -5 °C.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Torres Poblete, D.A. (2022). "Temu cruckshanksii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T38265A209452542. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-2.RLTS.T38265A209452542.en. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Temu cruckshanksii". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
- ^ "Temu cruckshanksii". International Plant Names Index (IPNI). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
- ^ Vasconcelos, Thais N.C.; Proença, Carol E.B.; Ahmad, Berhaman; Aguilar, Daniel S.; Aguilar, Reinaldo; Amorim, Bruno S.; Campbell, Keron; Costa, Itayguara R.; De-Carvalho, Plauto S.; Faria, Jair E.Q.; Giaretta, Augusto; Kooij, Pepijn W.; Lima, Duane F.; Mazine, Fiorella F.; Peguero, Brigido; Prenner, Gerhard; Santos, Matheus F.; Soewarto, Julia; Wingler, Astrid; Lucas, Eve J. (2017). "Myrteae phylogeny, calibration, biogeography and diversification patterns: Increased understanding in the most species rich tribe of Myrtaceae". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 109: 113–137. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2017.01.002. hdl:10468/4421.
- ^ Lucas, Eve J.; Holst, Bruce; Sobral, Marcos; Mazine, Fiorella F.; Nic Lughadha, Eimear M.; Barnes Proença, Carolyn E.; Ribeiro da Costa, Itayguara; Vasconcelos, Thais N. C. (2019-08-06). "A New Subtribal Classification of Tribe Myrteae (Myrtaceae)". Systematic Botany. 44 (3): 560–569. doi:10.1600/036364419X15620113920608.