Biology:Nothofagus fusca

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Short description: Species of tree

Nothofagus fusca
File:Red Beech Tree (Nothofagus fusca).tif
Tree
Nothofagus fusca in Fiordland National Park 02.jpg
Foliage
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fagales
Family: Nothofagaceae
Genus: Nothofagus
Subgenus: Nothofagus subg. Fuscospora
Species:
N. fusca
Binomial name
Nothofagus fusca
(Hook.f.)Oerst.
Synonyms

Fuscospora fusca (Hook.f.) Heenan & Smissen
Fagus fusca

Nothofagus fusca, commonly known as red beech (Māori: tawhai raunui) is a species of southern beech, endemic to New Zealand, occurring on both the North and South Island. It is generally found on lower hills and inland valley floors where soil is fertile and well drained.[2] In New Zealand the species is called Fuscospora fusca.[3][verification needed]

It is a medium-sized evergreen tree growing to 35 m tall. The leaves are alternately arranged, broad ovoid, 2 to 4 cm long and 1.5 to 3 cm broad, the margin distinctively double-toothed with each lobe bearing two teeth. The fruit is a small cupule containing three seeds.[citation needed]

Pollen from the tree was found near the Antarctic Peninsula, showing that it formerly grew in Antarctica since the Eocene period.[4] Red beech is not currently considered threatened.[5]

Uses

Red beech is the only known plant source, apart from rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), of the C-linked dihydrochalcone glycoside nothofagin.[6][7]

It is also grown as an ornamental tree in regions with a mild oceanic climate due to its attractive leaf shape. It has been planted in Scotland[8] and the North Coast of the Pacific of the United States .[9] The red beech's wood is the most durable of all the New Zealand beeches.[10] It was often used in flooring in many parts of New Zealand.[11] The timber is exceptionally stable when dried to appropriate moisture values.[11] The average density of red beech at 12 percent moisture content is 630 kilograms per cubic metre.[12]

Red beech flooring in Nelson, New Zealand

Hybrids

References

  1. Baldwin, H. (2018). "Nothofagus fusca". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T96478301A96479980. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/96478301/96479980. Retrieved 26 May 2022. 
  2. "Beech forest". Department of Conservation. http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-plants/beech-forest/. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 HEENAN, PETER B.; SMISSEN, ROB D. (2013). "Revised circumscription of Nothofagus and recognition of the segregate genera Fuscospora, Lophozonia, and Trisyngyne (Nothofagaceae)". Phytotaxa 146 (1): 131. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.146.1.1. http://biotaxa.org/Phytotaxa/article/view/phytotaxa.146.1.1/5539. Retrieved 31 May 2015. 
  4. Rice University (27 June 2011). "Fossilized pollen reveals climate history of northern Antarctica". Physorg. http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-06-fossilized-pollen-reveals-climate-history.html. 
  5. "Fuscospora fusca". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora_details.aspx?ID=1035. 
  6. Hillis W, Inoue T (1967). "The polyphenols of Nothofagus species - II. The heartwood of Nothofagus fusca". Phytochemistry 6: 59–67. doi:10.1016/0031-9422(67)85008-8. 
  7. "Quantitative Characterization of Flavonoid Compounds in Rooibos Tea (Aspalathus Linearis) by LC-UV/DAD". Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (Elsevier) 50 (20): 5513–5519. 2002. doi:10.1021/jf025697h. PMID 12236672. 
  8. "Planted and required trees in the Gardens of The Grange, Edinburgh, Scotland". The Grange Association. http://www.grangeassociation.org/product/100.pdf. 
  9. "Nothofagus fusca in Washington Park Arboretum". Seattle Government. http://www.seattle.gov/parks/proparks/projects/ArboretumReport.pdf. 
  10. Salmon, J.T. (1993). The Native Trees of New Zealand. Auckland, New Zealand: Reed Books. ISBN 0-7900-0558-1. 
  11. 11.0 11.1 "Farm Forestry timbers - Red Beech Nothofagus fusca". https://www.nzffa.org.nz/specialty-timber-market/showcase/new-zealand-beech/red-beech/. 
  12. Clifton, Norman (1990). New Zealand Timbers. Exotic and Indigenous. The complete guide. Upper Hutt, New Zealand: Wright & Carman Ltd.. 

External links


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