Azara (plant)
| Azara | |
|---|---|
| |
| Azara dentata | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Salicaceae |
| Subfamily: | Salicoideae |
| Tribe: | Saliceae |
| Genus: | Azara Ruiz & Pav. (1794)[1] |
| Species | |
|
See text | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
Arechavaletaia Speg. | |
Azara is a genus of eleven species of flowering plants in the family Salicaceae.
Habitat and distribution
[edit]They are native to temperate to subtropical regions of South America, from southern Brazil and Bolivia to southern Argentina and Chile.[1] They are most often found at woodland margins and lakesides.[2] Azara was formerly classed in the family Flacourtiaceae.
Description
[edit]They are evergreen shrubs and small trees growing to 1–8 m tall. The leaves are alternate, or in some species they appear paired, are simple 1–9 cm long and 0.5–5 cm broad. The opposite-leaved appearance of some species is unusual in that one stipule is enlarged giving the appearance of opposite ["paired"] leaves. The flowers are small, yellow or greenish, strongly fragrant, with a 4-5-lobed calyx and no petals but conspicuous long, often brightly colored, stamens; flowering is in spring. The fruit is a red to black berry 3–10 mm diameter.
Several species are cultivated as ornamental plants in gardens. In temperate regions they require the shelter of a wall.[2]
List of species
[edit]Eleven species are currently accepted:[1]
- Azara alpina Poepp. & Endl.
- Azara celastrina D.Don
- Azara dentata Ruiz & Pav.
- Azara integrifolia Ruiz & Pav. – goldspire azara
- Azara intermedia Gay
- Azara lanceolata Hook.f. – lanceleaf azara
- Azara microphylla Hook.f. – boxleaf azara, with fan-like branches and small dark, glossy leaves
- Azara petiolaris (D.Don) I.M.Johnst. – holly azara, with smooth oval leaves
- Azara salicifolia Griseb.
- Azara serrata Ruiz & Pav.
- Azara uruguayensis (Speg.) Sleumer
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Azara Ruiz & Pav. Plants of the World Online. Accessed 19 April 2023.
- ^ a b RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
External links
[edit]
- Tree Selection Guide: Azara
- Pictures and information of A. dentata, A. microphylla and A. petiolaris
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