Krugiodendron
Krugiodendron ferreum, commonly known as the black ironwood or leadwood, is a species of tree in the family Rhamnaceae. It is found in southern Florida, throughout the Caribbean and from southern Mexico to Honduras.[1] Originally described by Martin Vahl, its specific epithet is the Latin adjective ferreus ("iron-like").[2]
| Krugiodendron | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rhamnaceae |
| Tribe: | Rhamneae |
| Genus: | Krugiodendron Urb. |
| Species: | K. ferreum |
| Binomial name | |
| Krugiodendron ferreum (Vahl) Urb. | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Rhamnus ferrea Vahl | |
Taxonomy
It is the only species in the genus Krugiodendron. The genus name honors Leopold Krug (1833–1898). The common names for this species refer to its dense wood.
Description
Typical air-dry samples have densities of approximately 1.30 g/cm3, and up to 1.42 g/cm3.[3] The tree reaches 5–10 metres (16–33 ft) in height with oppositely arranged, emarginate leaves and small greenish flowers. The fruit is a drupe 5 to 7 mm long turning purplish red as it matures.[1]
It is widely cultivated in gardens or parks as a drought-tolerant specimen tree.
References
- Acevedo-Rodríguez, P. (1996-12-17). Flora of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Memoirs of The New York Botanical Garden. 78. Bronx, New York: The New York Botanical Garden. ISBN 0-89327-402-X.
- Simpson, D. P. (1979). Cassell's Latin Dictionary (5 ed.). London: Cassell Ltd. p. 883. ISBN 0-304-52257-0.
- Record, S. Tropical Woods, Vol. 8. 1926 (ISSN 0097-6857)
