Crinodendron brasiliense, known as the cinzeiro, is an evergreen shrub to tree in the family Elaeocarpaceae. It is endemic to Brazil,[1] where it occurs in montane ecosystems in Santa Catarina state. It has the narrowest distribution of all Crinodendron species [2] and is in risk of extinction.[3]
Crinodendron brasiliense is a shrub or tree reaching up to 14m (46feet) in height and having a trunk up to 150cm (60inches) in diameter.[4] Leaves alternate, usually grouped at the ends of branches, lanceolate with toothed edges and acute apex, dark green above whitish green below. Flowers hermaphrodite, solitary and axillary, white. Pedicels circa 3–6 cm long. Fruits are reddish when mature, a capsule with 3 valves. Seeds ovoid. A recent study found the narrow distribution and small population size of the species might be linked with its low germination rate (0.003 to 0.004
The Latin generic name Crinodendron is a compound of the Ancient Greek words κρίνον (krínon) "lily" and δένδρον (dendrón) "tree", the "lily" element being inspired by the white-flowered C. patagua. The specific name brasiliense refers to the country the species was discovered (Brazil). The genus Crinodendron is small, containing only four species .
The plant has the name 'cinzeiro' (ashtray) or 'cinzeiro-patagua', an allusion to the fact that the species produces a lot of ash (low heat efficiency) when burned.