Espinheira-santa
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(Monteverdia ilicifolia)
Espinheira-santa (Monteverdia ilicifolia)
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© Romi Galeota Lencina
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
© Romi Galeota Lencina
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: © Romi Galeota Lencina | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Uploader: romigaleota | Publisher: iNaturalist |
Summary
Monteverdia ilicifolia, commonly known as congorosa, cancrosa, chuchuwasi (called congorosa in Argentina and Uruguay), or maiteno, is a shrub found throughout much of Paraguay, the northwest of Argentina, the southern region of Brazil (where it is commonly called Espinheira-santa), and Uruguay. It is an evergreen that can grow up to five meters tall. It has slender branches, a broad crown, and a straight trunk. Its leaves are simple, alternate, irregularly elliptical-oblong, leathery, up to 7 cm in diameter, with a spiny-toothed edge, yellow margins, a very shiny green pointed tip on the upper side, and a pale underside. The flowers are small; the male flowers are yellow-brown, and the female ones are green with purple lines. The fruit is a yellow, two-valved capsule that contains one or two seeds, covered by a red-colored membrane. Its seeds have a strong capacity for dispersal. It grows in fertile soil, requires abundant moisture, and has slow growth. It is often used as firewood or to produce charcoal.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 4-5 feet
- Width: 4-5 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: White
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Drainage:
Common Uses
Showy Flowers
Other Names
Common Names: Sombra De Toro, Islay, Congorosa
Scientific Names: Monteverdia ilicifolia, Celastrus spinifolius, Maytenus acanthophylla var. eurostos, Maytenus acerifolia, Maytenus castaneaeformis, Maytenus castaneiformis, Maytenus hassleri, Maytenus ilicifolia, Maytenus ilicifolia, Maytenus ilicifolia var. boliviana
GBIF Accepted Name: Monteverdia ilicifolia