Crinodendron patagua – Patagua, Lily of the Valley tree, White lantern Tree.
A taller evergreen member of the Cirinodendron genus it grows in wet places and prefers ravines in its native Chile where it can be found growing from sea level to 1200m.
Masses of pure white bell shaped flowers comprising of 5 petals protrude from leaf axils. Unlike its close relation C. hookerianum it does not have long flower stalks. Seed capsules are red/orange when ripe.
Leaves are simple, somewhat oblong with a serrated margin.
It is an economically valuable tree as it is prised for honey production, the tannins are used for leather tanning and timber for furniture making. It is used extensively for reforestation as it is easy to propagate from seed.
One older specimen is in the CHCH Botanic Gardens where it has survived quite well tolerating frosts and somewhat dry conditions.
For more images visit my Pinterest page Crinodendron patagua.
Visit Naturewatch to work out the location of this plant in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens (NZ) Naturewatch Crinodendron patagua
Masses of pure white bell shaped flowers comprising of 5 petals protrude from leaf axils. Unlike its close relation C. hookerianum it does not have long flower stalks. Seed capsules are red/orange when ripe.
Leaves are simple, somewhat oblong with a serrated margin.
It is an economically valuable tree as it is prised for honey production, the tannins are used for leather tanning and timber for furniture making. It is used extensively for reforestation as it is easy to propagate from seed.
One older specimen is in the CHCH Botanic Gardens where it has survived quite well tolerating frosts and somewhat dry conditions.
For more images visit my Pinterest page Crinodendron patagua.
Visit Naturewatch to work out the location of this plant in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens (NZ) Naturewatch Crinodendron patagua