Temu cruckshanksii
Temu cruckshanksii (Mapudungun: temu) is a species of plant in the family Myrtaceae.[1][2] It is endemic to Chile. It is threatened by habitat loss. The purported variety "Heaven Scent" sold commercially is likely just the unimproved plant.
| Temu cruckshanksii | |
|---|---|
_-_mature_fruits_(Inao_V%C3%A1squez)_001.jpg.webp) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Temu |
| Species: | T. cruckshanksii |
| Binomial name | |
| Temu cruckshanksii (Hook. & Arn.) O.Berg | |
Taxonomy
The species was described as Temu cruckshanksii by Otto Karl Berg in 1861,[3] but was later placed in the genus Blepharocalyx. It was returned to Temu after a phylogenetic analyses of tribe Mytreae found Blepharocalyx to be polyphyletic.[2][4]
Description
The 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 Temuco (city in Chile) comes from this tree, meaning in mapuzungun "Temu water" or "temu in the water" ("co" means water in Mapuche).
References
- González, M. (1998). "Blepharocalyx cruckshanksii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1998: e.T38265A10104209. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T38265A10104209.en. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
- "Temu cruckshanksii". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
- "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.