Picconia azorica: Difference between revisions
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'''''Picconia azorica''''' is an [[endemism|endemic]] species of ''[[Picconia]]'', common to majority of the islands of the [[Portugal|Portuguese]] archipelago of the [[Azores]] |
'''''Picconia azorica''''' is an [[endemism|endemic]] species of ''[[Picconia]]'', common to majority of the islands of the [[Portugal|Portuguese]] archipelago of the [[Azores]], locally referred to as ''Pau-branco'' (''White Wood''), it is threatened by [[habitat loss]].<ref name=iucn>World Conservation Monitoring Centre (1998). [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/30330/all ''Picconia azorica'']</ref> |
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The evergreen shrub or small tree species is present in all the islands of the Azores, except the island of [[Graciosa]], usually in coastal and medium altitude forests between {{convert|50|m|ft}} to {{convert|600|m|ft}}, although most likely above {{convert|500|m|ft}} altitudes.<ref name="SRAM">{{citation |publisher=SRAM Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e do Mar |year=2008 |title=Plantas Endémicas dos Açores: Guia da Ilha do Faial |pages=13 |location=Horta (Azores), Portugal |language=Portuguese}}</ref> The leaves of the plant are evergreen lanceolate or ovate, opposite leaves with entire margins; it flowers from March to July producing small white flowers in axillary clusters.<ref name="Martinsetal39">Martins et al. (2011), p.39</ref> The fleshy fruits are dark blue [[drupes]] about {{convert|1.5|cm|in}} long, similar to olive trees (both plants pertain to the [[Oleaceae]] species).<ref name=Martinsetal39/><ref name=azores>Azores Flora: [http://www.azorenflora.de/picconia_azorica.html ''Picconia azorica'']</ref> |
The evergreen shrub or small tree species is present in all the islands of the Azores, except the island of [[Graciosa]], usually in coastal and medium altitude forests between {{convert|50|m|ft}} to {{convert|600|m|ft}}, although most likely above {{convert|500|m|ft}} altitudes.<ref name="SRAM">{{citation |publisher=SRAM Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e do Mar |year=2008 |title=Plantas Endémicas dos Açores: Guia da Ilha do Faial |pages=13 |location=Horta (Azores), Portugal |language=Portuguese}}</ref> The leaves of the plant are evergreen lanceolate or ovate, opposite leaves with entire margins; it flowers from March to July producing small white flowers in axillary clusters.<ref name="Martinsetal39">Martins et al. (2011), p.39</ref> The fleshy fruits are dark blue [[drupes]] about {{convert|1.5|cm|in}} long, similar to olive trees (both plants pertain to the [[Oleaceae]] species).<ref name=Martinsetal39/><ref name=azores>Azores Flora: [http://www.azorenflora.de/picconia_azorica.html ''Picconia azorica'']</ref> |
Revision as of 08:32, 9 February 2015
Picconia azorica | |
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Species: | P. azorica
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Picconia azorica (Tutin) Knobl.
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Picconia azorica is an endemic species of Picconia, common to majority of the islands of the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores, locally referred to as Pau-branco (White Wood), it is threatened by habitat loss.[1]
The evergreen shrub or small tree species is present in all the islands of the Azores, except the island of Graciosa, usually in coastal and medium altitude forests between 50 metres (160 ft) to 600 metres (2,000 ft), although most likely above 500 metres (1,600 ft) altitudes.[2] The leaves of the plant are evergreen lanceolate or ovate, opposite leaves with entire margins; it flowers from March to July producing small white flowers in axillary clusters.[3] The fleshy fruits are dark blue drupes about 1.5 centimetres (0.59 in) long, similar to olive trees (both plants pertain to the Oleaceae species).[3][4]
Status
The White wood is very popular in traditional/artesnal carpentry, for furniture construction and religious sanctuary.[3]
Since its colonization, the resources of the different islands of the Azores were used to sustain its population. This meant that the forests were also cut-down to support the local economy and day-to-day activities, and other non-endemic species planted to support growing populations, such as the Cryptomeria (Cryptomeria japonica) and the Acacia (Acacia dealbata) (which were quick growing in the habitats of the islands).
Overexploitation of the wood led to the species becoming almost extinct in some islands.[3] It has become a priority for re-population and conservation, listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List 2004, and Annex II of the Habitats Directive (Berne Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats), due to habitat degradation, expansion of agricultural land, forestation, competition by invader species and isolation of populations.[3]
References
- Notes
- ^ World Conservation Monitoring Centre (1998). Picconia azorica
- ^ Plantas Endémicas dos Açores: Guia da Ilha do Faial (in Portuguese), Horta (Azores), Portugal: SRAM Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e do Mar, 2008, p. 13
- ^ a b c d e Martins et al. (2011), p.39
- ^ Azores Flora: Picconia azorica
- Sources
- Martins, José; Moreira, O.; Silva, L.; Moura, M. (2011), "Vegetative propagation of the endangered Azorean tree, Picconia azorica", Arquipelago/Life and Marine Sciences (PDF), Ponta Delgada (Azores), Portugal, pp. 39–46
{{citation}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - Martins, J.M.; Moreira, O.C.B.; Rainha, N.F.P.; Baptista, J.A.B.; Silva, L.; Moura, M.M.T. (May 2012), Morphophysiological dormancy and germination in seeds of the Azorean tree Picconia azorica, Seed Science & Technology, pp. 163–176
{{citation}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link)