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Conocarpus erectus

Conocarpus erectus
Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus in Key Largo, Florida, United States
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Combretaceae
Genus: Conocarpus
Species:
C. erectus
Binomial name
Conocarpus erectus
L., 1753[2]

Conocarpus erectus, commonly called buttonwood[3] or button mangrove,[4] is a hardy species[5] of mangrove shrub in the family Combretaceae.

Taxonomy

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These two varieties are not accepted as distinct by all authorities:[citation needed]

Distribution and habitat

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It grows on shorelines in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas and west Africa. 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.[6] Locations it is known from include Florida, Bermuda, the West Indies, Central and South America from Mexico to Brazil on the Atlantic Coast and Mexico to Peru on the Pacific Coast, as well as the western African coast. It was introduced in Kuwait and Western Australia due to its propensity to thrive in high temperatures and absorbing brackish water.

Description

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Conocarpus 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).[7] 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.[6] 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.[citation needed]

Conocarpus erectus var. erectus

Uses

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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.

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.

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References

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  1. ^ Ellison, A.; Farnsworth, E.; Moore, G. (2010). "Conocarpus erectus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T178806A7612125. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-2.RLTS.T178806A7612125.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Conocarpus erectus". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
  3. ^ Walter S Judd, Flora of North America, vol. 10
  4. ^ Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
  5. ^ Wang, Yeqiao (19 May 2020). Coastal and Marine Environments. CRC Press. ISBN 978-0-429-80471-7.
  6. ^ a b US Forest Service
  7. ^ "Florida State and National Champions 2009" (PDF). Florida Division of Forestry. 2009-08-07. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-02-18. Retrieved 2009-10-11.

Further reading

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