''Alchornea latifolia'' is a

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

of tree in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

Euphorbiaceae Euphorbiaceae, the spurge family, is a large family of flowering plants. In English, they are also commonly called euphorbias, which is also the name of a genus in the family. Most spurges, such as '' Euphorbia paralias'', are herbs, but some, ...

. It is native to Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean, where its common names include aguacatillo, baconá and chote.

Description

''Alchornea latifolia'' is a small evergreen tree, sometimes with a buttressed trunk, growing to a height of about . The leaves have thick stalks and are ovate to elliptic, with a rounded base and a short pointed apex. They have three veins radiating from the base and are long and wide. The leaf margins have a small number of short, blunt teeth and the lower side of the leaf blade is downy. The male flowering spike is slender, up to long. The individual flowers are stalkless and have two sepals and eight stamens. The female flowering spike sometimes branches and is a similar length. The individual flowers have four ovate sepals, a two or three part ovary, and styles up to long. The fruits are reddish capsules about in diameter.

Distribution and habitat

''Alchornea latifolia'' is native to Central and South America and the West Indies. Its range extends from Southern Mexico to Panama, Cuba and the Windward Islands, and Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela. It likes moderate rainfall spread throughout most of the year and grows from sea level to an altitude of about .

Uses

The tree produces many seeds and is a pioneer species, sprouting readily when gaps in the canopy occur. It is sometimes used for the provision of shade in coffee plantations. The branches are used for firewood and the timber for joinery, furniture, posts, crates, boxes, toys, plywood and chipboard.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q15384919 Alchorneae Flora of South America Taxa named by Olof Swartz