Weinmannia tomentosa

Encenillo
Encenillo tree Weinmannia tomentosa is one of the most important species in the Colombian Andean cloud forest
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Oxalidales
Family:	Cunoniaceae
Genus:	Weinmannia
Species:	W. tomentosa
Binomial name
Weinmannia tomentosa Decne. & Planch.
Synonyms
Windmannia tomentosa

Weinmannia tomentosa, the encenillo, is a tree native of the highlands of the Andean region of Colombia, which belongs to the family Cunoniaceae.^[1] A synonym for Weinmannia tomentosa is Windmannia tomentosa.^[2]

Description[]

It is a large (15–25 metres (49–82 ft)) tree, with small light green leaves (2–7 centimetres (0.79–2.76 in)), with white backside, and raquis with small wings of rhomboidal shape. alternated palmatilobulated (hand-shaped) leaves. The terminal branches are divided with thick nodes with similar shape to the human metacarpus. The flowers are small spicas (4–6 cm) creamy-white colored. Common names: encenillo, cáscaro, pelotillo.

Environmental position[]

Encenillo is one of the best adapted trees of the sub-páramo, growing between 2500–3300 meters of altitude. It is often associated with Dendropanax colombianus, Miconia spp., , , Myrsine spp. and . Before the colonial period, encenillo tree was one of the dominant species in the andean forests.

Some similar species are: Bogotan encenillo (), wide-leaved encenillo (), thick-leaved encenillo (), round-leaved encenillo () and mirth encenillo ().

Uses[]

The encenillo tree is used as source of tanning substances for the leather industry, giving to the leather a beautiful reddish color. The wood is very appreciated in the timber industry and is used for cooking in the traditional preparation of the cheese arepas.

References[]

External links[]

• (in Spanish)secretariadeambiente.gov: Ecosystem restoration Flora