Loxostylis Explained

Loxostylis is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Anacardiaceae.[1]

The genus contains a single species called Loxostylis alata.[2] In English, this species goes by the common name tar wood. It has self supporting growth and is perennial.[3]

The IUCN lists the species as least concern due to it being a widespread species. But it’s being harmed in certain areas.[4] Its native range is Southern Africa.

Name and etymology

Loxostylis is derived from the Greek word loxos and the Latin stylis. Loxos means “crooked”, “oblique”, or “twisted”[5] while stylis means “style”. While alatus is Latin for “winged”.

Occurrence

It is native to Cape Provinces and KwaZulu-Natal.[6]

Loxostylis alata is found along woodland edges, along rivers, and on the outcrops of quartz and sandstone.

Reproduction

It is dioecious.[7] In spring, male flowers are white and scented while the female flowers are green but the sepals turn red or pink.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Loxostylis Spreng. ex Rchb. Plants of the World Online Kew Science . Plants of the World Online . 17 May 2021 . en.
  2. Web site: Loxostylis alata PlantZAfrica. 2021-11-06. pza.sanbi.org.
  3. Web site: Tar wood - Encyclopedia of Life. 2021-11-01. eol.org.
  4. Williams. Vivienne. false.email@globaltrees.org. Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) (Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). Descanso House. Abbott (SANBI). Tony. Raimondo (SANBI). Domitilla. 2018-06-12. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Loxostylis alata. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
  5. Book: Quattrocchi, Umberto. CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology. 1999-11-23. Taylor & Francis US. 978-0-8493-2676-9. 1539. en.
  6. Web site: Loxostylis alata Spreng. ex Rchb. Plants of the World Online Kew Science. 2021-11-06. Plants of the World Online. en.
  7. 10.1111/ecog.01496. Geographic distribution and migration pathways of Pistacia - present, past and future. 2015. Kozhoridze. G.. Orlovsky. N.. Orlovsky. L.. Blumberg. Dan G.. Golan-Goldhirsh. A.. Ecography. 38. 11. 1141–1154. 2015Ecogr..38.1141K .
  8. Book: Honig, Marijke. Indigenous Plant Palettes. 2014-11-01. Quivertree Publications. 978-1-928209-82-9. en.

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