Nothofagus rutila facts for kids

Nothofagus rutila is a special kind of tree that belongs to the Nothofagaceae family. It is found only in central Chile. People often call it roble rojo (which means red oak) or roble encendido (which means fiery oak) because of its beautiful autumn colors.

About the Roble Rojo Tree

The Nothofagus rutila is a deciduous plant, meaning it loses its leaves every autumn. It can grow as a small tree or a shrub, reaching heights from about 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) to 10 meters (about 33 feet) tall.

Its leaves are usually dark green and measure about 24 to 50 millimeters long and 18 to 35 millimeters wide. The underside of the leaves is a bit lighter. In the autumn, these leaves turn a bright red color, which is why it's called "red oak" or "fiery oak."

Scientists used to think that some groups of this tree were actually another species called Nothofagus macrocarpa. But now we know they are the unique Nothofagus rutila.

Where Does the Roble Rojo Grow?

The Nothofagus rutila tree is endemic to central Chile. This means it grows naturally only in that specific area and nowhere else in the world. You can find it in the Chilean Coast Range, which is a mountain range northwest of Santiago, Chile. It grows in provinces like Chacabuco, Quillota, and San Felipe de Aconcagua.

Some of the places where it has been found include Cerro El Roble, Caleu, Cuesta La Dormida, and Chicauma. A big part of where it lives is inside La Campana National Park, which helps protect it.

On Cerro El Roble, these trees can grow in groups where almost all the trees are Nothofagus rutila. They can be found at very high elevations, around 2,200 meters (about 7,200 feet). Near the top of the mountain, it often grows as a shrub alongside other plants like Sisyrinchium laevigatum, Alstroemeria polpaicana, and Sisyrinchium arenarium subsp. arenarium. In other areas, such as Caleu and Cuesta La Dormida, it grows mixed in with other shrubs and small trees.

See also

In Spanish: Roble rojo para niños