| Nothofagus fusca | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Magnoliophyta |
| Class: | Magnoliopsida |
| Order: | Fagales |
| Family: | Nothofagaceae |
| Genus: | Nothofagus |
| Species: | N. fusca |
| Binomial name | |
| Nothofagus fusca (Hook.f.) Oerst. |
|
Nothofagus fusca (New Zealand Red Beech) is a species of Nothofagus, endemic to New Zealand, where it occurs on both North Island and South Island. It occurs to low altitudes to the mountains.
It is a medium-sized evergreen tree growing to 35 m tall. The leaves are alternately arranged, broad ovoid, 2 to 4 cm long and 1.5 to 3 cm broad, the margin distinctively double-toothed with each lobe bearing two teeth. The fruit is a small cupule containing three seeds.
Uses
It is the only known plant source, apart from Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), of the C-linked dihydrochalcone glycoside nothofagin.[1][2]
It is also grown as an ornamental tree in regions with a mild oceanic climate due to its attractive leaf shape. It has been planted in Scotland[3] and the North Coast of the Pacific of the United States[4]. The red beech's wood is the most durable of all the New Zealand beeches[5] it was often used in flooring in many parts of New Zealand. The timber is exceptionally stable when dried to appropriate moisture values. The average density of red beech at 12 percent moisture content is 630 kilograms per cubic metre.[6]
References
- ^ Hillis W, Inoue T (1967). "The polyphenols of Nothofagus species - II. The heartwood of Nothofagus fusca". Phytochemistry 6: 59–67. doi:.
- ^ Bramati L et al. (2002). "Quantitative Characterization of Flavonoid Compounds in Rooibos Tea (Aspalathus Linearis) by LC-UV/DAD". Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (Elsevier) 50: 5513–5519. doi:.
- ^ "Planted and required trees in the Gardens of The Grange, Edinburgh, Scotland". The Grange Association. http://www.grangeassociation.org/product/100.pdf. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
- ^ "Nothofagus fusca in Washington Park Arboretum". Seattle Government. http://www.seattle.gov/parks/proparks/projects/ArboretumReport.pdf. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
- ^ Salmon, J.T. (1993). The Native Trees of New Zealand. Auckland, New Zealand: Reed Books.
- ^ Clifton, Norman (1990). New Zealand Timbers. Exotic and Indigenous. The complete guide. Upper Hutt, New Zealand: Wright & Carman Ltd..
External links
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