Nothofagus nitida


Nothofagus nitida is an evergreen tree, native to southern Chile and Argentina. It is found from latitude 40th [parallel south|40° S] to Última Esperanza.

Description

Up to 35 m height and 2 m diameter. The bark is gray. It prefers very wet soils.
Leaves are alternate between 1.5 and 3 cm, they are hard, glossy green, with a small petiole and lanceolate shape. The new borne twigs have little hairs.
Male flowers have a unique verticil with 6–10 stamens and are surrounded by tepals. Female flowers are grouped five by five, and pollination is mainly anemophilous. The flowers are homochlamyd, small, unisexual, arranged in inflorescences.
Its fruits are small, flattened or triangular, yellowish in cupules made up by 2 to 7 units.

Uses

The wood is white-yellowish colored. It has beautiful engraving and it is used in furniture and construction.