Pitavia punctata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pitavia punctata |
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Galvezia punctata Ruiz & Pav. (1798) |
The Pitavia punctata, also known as Pitao or Pitran, is a special kind of tree found only in Chile. It belongs to the Rutaceae family, which includes citrus trees! This tree grows in natural forests along the Chilean Coast Range in central Chile. Sadly, it's an endangered tree because its home is disappearing.
Contents
What the Pitao Tree Looks Like
The Pitao is an evergreen tree, meaning it keeps its leaves all year round. It can grow up to 15 meters (about 49 feet) tall. Its trunk can be as wide as 50 centimeters (about 20 inches).
Tree Shape and Bark
The tree has a round, leafy top and a straight trunk. Its branches grow upwards. The bark is brownish-grey and feels soft. As the tree gets older, its bark becomes a bit rougher.
Leaves
The leaves are very interesting! They are simple and have tiny dots you can see if you hold them up to the light. They also smell like citrus fruits, which is very nice. The leaves usually grow in groups of three, called whorls, but sometimes they grow opposite each other. They feel a bit leathery.
The leaves are shaped like long ovals, with a slightly pointed tip and a narrow base. They have small teeth along their edges. Each leaf is about 6.5 to 13 centimeters (2.5 to 5 inches) long and 2.5 to 4 centimeters (1 to 1.5 inches) wide.
Flowers
Pitao flowers are small, about 1 centimeter (0.4 inches) across. They can have both male and female parts (called hermaphrodite) or sometimes just one. The flowers usually grow in clusters of three.
Each flower has four green leaf-like parts called sepals. Inside, there are eight stamens, which are the male parts that make pollen. The female part, called the gynoecium, has an ovary that will become the fruit.
Fruits and Seeds
The fruit of the Pitao tree is usually a single, round drupe, which is a fleshy fruit with a hard pit inside, like a cherry. It's greenish-yellow with dark dots and about 1.8 to 2.5 centimeters (0.7 to 1 inch) wide. Inside the fruit are shiny, dark brown seeds.
Where the Pitao Tree Lives
The Pitavia punctata tree is found only in a specific part of central Chile. It grows on the western slopes of the Chilean Coast Range. You can find it in the Maule and Bío Bío areas.
Its Home in the Forest
This tree prefers to live in native deciduous forests, which are sometimes called Maulino forest. It grows at elevations between 30 and 850 meters (about 100 to 2,800 feet) above sea level.
The Pitao tree often grows alongside other important trees like Nothofagus glauca, Nothofagus alessandrii, and Gomortega keule. It likes places that stay moist all year, such as ravines and near streams.
Protecting the Pitao
Sadly, the Pitao tree lives in small groups within the remaining forest areas. These forests are often surrounded by large tree farms. To help protect this special tree, some populations are safe in places like Península de Hualpén Nature Sanctuary, Los Ruiles National Reserve, Los Queules National Reserve, and Nonguén National Park.
See also
In Spanish: Pitao para niños
