Ombu: Phytolacca dioicaFamlia: FitolacáceasPortugués name: Umbú         Guaraní name: Ïmboú        English name: Umbra Tree

Spanish name : Bella sombra

Hi!Hi!My name is Phytolacca My name is Phytolacca dioica. dioica. I live in Argentina (Pampas), I live in Argentina (Pampas), Peru, Brazil, Uruguay. Peru, Brazil, Uruguay. I get to 400 years old. I get to 400 years old. I come from the I come from the Phytolaccaceae familyPhytolaccaceae familyI can get 10 to 15 m. high.I can get 10 to 15 m. high.

 Cylindrical trunk very expanded in the base, managing to form with the step of the years a pedestal of which can go out other trunks.

Rough bark, fisurated, chestnut-colored or yellowish.

Alternate, simple leaves, of elliptical to ovadas or oblong, of 5-13 x 2,5-7,5 cm, with the base cuneada or rounded, the entire margin and the sharp apex or acuminado; they are of green glossy color, glabras, with the central marked nerve. Petiole of 2-8 cm of length. Terminal clusters, of 7,5-15 cm of length.

Its fruit is a berry yellow, containing seeds ovoid about 3 mm long and brilliant color black.

The flowers are dioecious, and appear in The flowers are dioecious, and appear in terminal clusters of whitish color.terminal clusters of whitish color.

Unisexual flowers, in separated feet, on Unisexual flowers, in separated feet, on pedicelos of 4-5 mm of length. pedicelos of 4-5 mm of length.

Masculine flowers with 5 tépalos, of Masculine flowers with 5 tépalos, of approximately 3,5 mm of length, whitish; approximately 3,5 mm of length, whitish; androceo with 20-30 yarns, free, rudimentary androceo with 20-30 yarns, free, rudimentary ovary. ovary.

Feminine flowers with 5 tépalos, of Feminine flowers with 5 tépalos, of approximately 4 mm of length, estaminodios approximately 4 mm of length, estaminodios about 10; ovary súpero, globular, with 7-10 about 10; ovary súpero, globular, with 7-10 semiwelded carpels; re-curled, very short style, semiwelded carpels; re-curled, very short style, of 1 mm of length. of 1 mm of length.

Infructescencias of 15-20 x 2,5-3 cm, with Infructescencias of 15-20 x 2,5-3 cm, with numerous depressed - globular berries, with numerous depressed - globular berries, with ruts between the seeds, of 0,8-1 cm of ruts between the seeds, of 0,8-1 cm of diameter, yellowish, becoming blackish in the diameter, yellowish, becoming blackish in the maturity; ovoid - compressed seeds, of maturity; ovoid - compressed seeds, of approximately 3 mm of length, of black brilliant approximately 3 mm of length, of black brilliant colour.colour.

It multiplies by seeds. The fruits are gathered from the tree and set to soften in water to detach the seeds. Once extracted and dry, they can be sowed or stored, preserving his viability at least for one year. Slightly demanding and rustic enough species in general. It possesses a very rapid growth. It must not stand firm near buildings for the aggressiveness of his roots. Its uses must limit to gardens, with sufficient space for its growth.

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Photos: Plaza Pueblo Nuevo and Google images.