Brunellia comocladifolia

Brunellia comocladifolia
In Sierra de Bahoruco National Park, Dominican Republic
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Oxalidales
Family:	Brunelliaceae
Genus:	Brunellia
Species:	B. comocladifolia
Binomial name
Brunellia comocladifolia Humb. & Bonpl.[2]

Brunellia comocladifolia, commonly known as the West Indian sumac,^[2] is a species of tree in the family Brunelliaceae. It is native to Central America, the West Indies, and northern South America.^[1]

Branches and foliage

Description

Brunellia comocladifolia is a small tree growing to a height of about 25 m (80 ft) with a spreading crown. The leaves and young shoots are clad in rusty coloured hairs and the foliage often has a reddish tinge. The pinnate leaves have toothed margins and are up to 40 cm (16 in) long. They are in opposite pairs, with five to eleven pairs of elliptical to oblong leaflets and a terminal leaflet. The leaflets have rounded bases and acuminate tips and are up to 15 cm (6 in) long and 6 cm (2 in) wide. The underside of the leaflets are clad in short, velvety hairs. Male and female flowers are on separate trees. They are both very small and are borne in panicles clad in short hairs. The flowering period is April to August and the fruits appear from June to October.^[3]

Distribution and habitat

Brunellia comocladifolia is native to the West Indies, Central America and the extreme north of South America. Its range includes the countries of Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Hispaniola (in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti), Ecuador, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.^[1] It is a montane species, found in clearings and on forest margins at altitudes of between 1,060 and 1,710 m (3,500 and 5,600 ft).^[3] Along with Weinmannia pinnata, Prestoea montana, and Podocarpus coriaceus, it is present in the wet cloud forest in the Sierra de Luquillo mountains in Puerto Rico.^[4] Brunellia comocladifolia also occurs in the Hispaniolan moist forests of the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

References

1. Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI).; IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2019). "Brunellia comocladifolia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T62822A149040742. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T62822A149040742.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
2. "Brunellia comocladifolia Humb. & Bonpl". GBIF. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
3. Iremonger, Susan (2002). A Guide to Plants in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. University of the West Indies Press. p. 51. ISBN 978-976-640-031-6.
4. Gannon, Michael R.; Kurta, Allen; Rodriguez-Duran, Armando (2005). Bats of Puerto Rico: An Island Focus and a Caribbean Perspective. Texas Tech University Press. p. 16. ISBN 978-0-89672-551-5.