Escallonia myrtilloides explained

Escallonia myrtilloides is an evergreen shrub or tree in the Escalloniaceae family, native to open montane wet forests and paramos from Costa Rica to Bolivia. It occurs at elevations between 1900and.^{[1] [2]}

Description

Trees or shrubs from 2- high, with irregular to conical shaped crown and branches growing almost horizontally, giving the tree the appearance of a Chinese pagoda. Leaves dark green, leathery, obovate, of 0.8- long, 0.4– wide; borne on short twigs. Inflorescences in corymbs of 1- long; flowers greenish white to pale yellow; fruits green, ca. wide, with numerous seeds.^{[2] [3]}

Distribution and habitat

The species is found in high Andean wet forests, open areas and paramos, and is often dominant on rocky slopes.^{[2] [3]}

Uses

Escallonia myrtilloides furnishes a reddish wood, with resistance to tension and shocks and easy drying. Because of this, it is useful for fences and woodcrafts.^{[4] [5]}

The tree has an ornamental quality due to its distinctive crown shape, and is also used for hedges.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden. 2 April 2017.
2. Book: Gargiullo, Margaret. A field guide to plants of Costa Rica. limited. Oxford University Press. 2008. 978-0-19-518824-0. New York. 180.
3. Web site: Escallonia myrtilloides. 23 September 2015. Biodiversidad de Costa Rica. INBio. Spanish. https://web.archive.org/web/20150925134301/http://atta2.inbio.ac.cr/neoportal-web/species/Escallonia%20myrtilloides. 25 September 2015. dead.
4. Web site: Rodamonte - Escallonia myrtilloides. 24 September 2015. opepa.org. Organizacion para la Educación y Protección Ambiental. Spanish.
5. Web site: Ciprecillo. 24 September 2015. El Mundo Forestal. Spanish. 24 June 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140624021049/http://www.elmundoforestal.com/elcorazon/ciprecillo/ciprecillo.html. dead.