Myrceugenia colchaguensis facts for kids

The Myrceugenia colchaguensis is a special kind of small evergreen tree. It belongs to the Myrceugenia family, which is part of the larger Myrtaceae plant group. This tree is only found in Chile, mostly in the coastal mountains. People often call it colchaguillo, arrayan de colchagua, or lumilla.

What Does It Look Like?

The Myrceugenia colchaguensis can be a large bush or a small tree. It usually grows up to about 4 meters (about 13 feet) tall. Its bark starts smooth and light brown, but as the tree gets older, it becomes cracked.

When the new branches grow, they are quite hairy. However, older stems and leaves lose this hairiness. The leaves grow in pairs, opposite each other on short stalks. They are about 0.7 to 2.0 centimeters (0.3 to 0.8 inches) long and 0.4 to 1.2 centimeters (0.16 to 0.47 inches) wide. The edges of the leaves are smooth, and their tips and bases are rounded. They are dark green on top and lighter green underneath.

Flowers and Fruits

The flowers of this tree grow one by one where the leaves meet the stem. Each flower has four parts that look like small leaves (called calyx lobes) covered in thick yellow hairs. It also has four white petals. Inside each flower, there are about 200 stamens (the parts that make pollen) and one slightly longer style (part of the female reproductive organ).

The fruits are berries that start green. As they ripen, they turn yellow and orange. These berries are about 7 millimeters (0.28 inches) wide. The tree flowers in January and February, and its fruits are ready to eat in October and November.

Where Does It Live?

The Myrceugenia colchaguensis is a tree that is endemic to Chile. This means it is found naturally only in this country. Its home stretches along the coastal region of Chile, from the Valparaiso province all the way down to Cautín.

Even though its range is wide, you won't find it everywhere. It grows in small, separate groups in coastal areas. You might also find one or two groups in the Chilean Central Valley and possibly one in the Andes mountains. This tree prefers places that are humid, or damp. It often grows alongside other trees from the Myrtaceae family.

Why Is It Special?

This tree is quite rare. It is only found in about ten different locations. Because of this, it is considered "critically endangered". This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing from the wild. It grows at altitudes between 50 and 400 meters (about 164 to 1,312 feet) above sea level.

See also

In Spanish: Arrayán de Colchagua para niños