Luehea divaricata

Luehea divaricata

Luehea divaricata, Iguazu Falls, Argentina

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colspan=2 style="text-align: center; background-color: transparent" | Luehea divaricata
colspan=2 style="min-width:15em; text-align: center; background-color: transparent" | Scientific classification
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Species	Template:Taxonomy/Luehea L. divaricata
colspan=2 style="text-align: center; background-color: transparent" | Binomial name
Template:Taxonomy/Luehea Luehea divaricata Mart.

Luehea divaricata is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae. It is native to South America, particularly found in countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. This species is commonly known as "açoita-cavalo" in Portuguese, which translates to "horse-whip" in English, due to the traditional use of its flexible branches.

Description

Luehea divaricata is a medium to large-sized tree that can reach heights of up to 20 meters. The tree has a straight trunk and a dense, rounded canopy. The bark is rough and grayish-brown, often used in traditional medicine. The leaves are simple, alternate, and have a serrated margin. They are typically 6-12 cm long and 3-6 cm wide.

The flowers of Luehea divaricata are small, white to yellowish, and are arranged in clusters. The fruit is a capsule that contains several seeds, which are dispersed by wind.

Habitat

This species thrives in a variety of habitats, including tropical and subtropical forests, as well as savannas. It is often found in riparian zones, which are areas adjacent to rivers and streams.

Uses

Luehea divaricata has several uses, both traditional and modern. The wood is valued for its strength and flexibility, making it suitable for construction and crafting tools. In traditional medicine, various parts of the tree are used to treat ailments such as inflammation, fever, and respiratory infections.

Conservation Status

The conservation status of Luehea divaricata has not been extensively studied, but it is not currently listed as threatened. However, habitat destruction and deforestation in its native range could pose future risks to its population.

Related Pages

• Malvaceae
• Tropical forest
• Traditional medicine
• Riparian zone

References

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