Spanish elm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spanish elm |
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|---|---|
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| Sapling | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cordia
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| Species: |
alliodora
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| Synonyms | |
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Cerdana alliodora Ruiz & Pav. |
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Cordia alliodora is a type of flowering tree that grows naturally in the warm, tropical parts of the Americas. It belongs to the borage family, which is called Boraginaceae. This tree has several common names, like Spanish elm, Ecuador laurel, cypre, and salmwood. It can grow very tall, sometimes reaching up to 35 meters (about 115 feet) high!
What is Cordia alliodora Used For?
The wood from Cordia alliodora is quite special. It's often called freijo or jennywood. This wood is known for not having many patterns or "figures" in its grain, which makes it look smooth and uniform.
People use this wood for many different things:
- Building parts of boats, like the decking.
- Making furniture for homes and offices.
- Creating beautiful cabinetry for kitchens and other rooms.
- Skilled craftspeople called luthiers use it to build guitars and bass guitars.
- Sometimes, it's even used as a replacement for more expensive woods like mahogany or teak.
Environmental Impact of Cordia alliodora
While Cordia alliodora is important in its natural home, it can cause problems when it's planted in new places. Outside of where it naturally grows, it's known as an invasive species. This means it can take over areas where it doesn't belong.
For example, in a country called Vanuatu, people planted many of these trees in the 1970s to use for wood. However, the trees grew much faster than they were harvested. This caused them to spread and crowd out the native plants and trees that naturally live there.
Also, when these trees grow too much in one place, they can become sick. They can get a type of root rot called Phellinus noxius. This disease can harm the trees and the soil around them. It shows how important it is to be careful when introducing new plants to an environment.
