| Afrocarpus gracilior | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Gymnospermae |
| Division: | Pinophyta |
| Class: | Pinopsida |
| Order: | Araucariales |
| Family: | Podocarpaceae |
| Genus: | Afrocarpus |
| Species: | A. gracilior |
| Binomial name | |
| Afrocarpus gracilior | |
Afrocarpus gracilior (syn.Podocarpus gracilior) is a species ofconiferoustree in the familyPodocarpaceae known asbenet inMarakwet andEast African yellowwood,African fern tree, orbastard yellowwood inEnglish[1][2][3]
It is native to easternAfrica, inEthiopia,Kenya,Tanzania, andUganda, inAfromontane habitats.[1]
This is a common species found in many types of tropical mountain forest habitat. It is a dominant species in some areas. Nevertheless, it may be in slow decline due todeforestation andlogging.[1]
Afrocarpus gracilior is a medium-sized tree, growing 20–40 m tall, rarely to 50 m, with a trunk diameter of 50–80 cm. Theleaves are spirally arranged, lanceolate, 2–6 cm long and 3–5 mm broad on mature trees, larger, to 10 cm (4 in) long and 6 mm broad on vigorous young trees.
Theseed cones are highly modified, with a single 2 cm (1 in) diameter seed with a thin fleshy coating borne on a short peduncle. The mature seed is purple, and is dispersed bybirds andmonkeys which eat the fleshy coating. Thepollen cones are solitary or in clusters of two or three on a short stem.[4]
Studies in 2000 and 2002 provided enough evidence to support splitting the genusPodocarpus intoPodocarpus andAfrocarpus. Thus,P. falcatus andP. gracilior were renamed toA. falcatus andA. gracilior.[5] Later DNA, biogeographical, morphological, and anatomical evidence suggested the following relationships between the species of Afrocarpus:[6]
Nageia (outgroup) | |||||||||||||
| Afrocarpus |
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It is an importanttimber tree in its native range, where it is harvested for local use and export. It is used for construction of buildings and furniture. It is grown inplantations elsewhere in the world.
It is cultivated as anornamental tree, and planted as a shade tree.[1]
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