Oxandra lanceolata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lancewood |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Oxandra
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| Species: |
lanceolata
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| Synonyms | |
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Bocagea virgata (Sw.) Benth. & Hook.f. |
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Oxandra lanceolata is a type of plant also known as Lancewood. It belongs to the Annonaceae family, which includes many flowering plants. This tree grows naturally in several countries, including Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico.
About the Lancewood Tree
The Lancewood is an evergreen tree, meaning it keeps its leaves all year round. It can grow quite tall, reaching up to 15 meters (about 49 feet) high.
What it Looks Like
The leaves of the Lancewood tree are usually 3.5 to 9.5 centimeters (about 1.4 to 3.7 inches) long and 1.5 to 4 centimeters (about 0.6 to 1.6 inches) wide. They can be shaped like an ellipse, a lanceolate (like a spear tip), or an oblanceolate (like a reversed spear tip). The base of the leaf is rounded, and the tip is sharp. The small stem that connects the leaf to the branch, called a petiole, is smooth and about 1 to 2 millimeters long.
The tree also produces compound fruit that are shaped like an ellipsoid (like a rugby ball). These fruits are reddish-black when ripe and are about 11 to 13 millimeters long and 7 to 9 millimeters wide.
Uses of its Wood
The wood from the Lancewood tree is very strong and useful. Historically, it has been used as a raw material for various purposes. For example, starting in October 1886, its wood was used to make batons for the Metropolitan Police in London.
