Genus Pitavia Rank Species | ||
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Similar Gomortega, Fuscospora alessandri, Beilschmiedia berteroana, Citronella mucronata, Lophozonia glauca | ||
Pitavia punctata is a species of tree endemic to Chile in the Rutaceae family. It is endemic to Chile; an example habitat being the Chilean matorral. It is threatened by habitat loss. Distinctive common names: Pitao, Pitran. It is found from Maule to Malleco (35 to 38°S) .
Description
It is an evergreen small tree or shrub that measures up to 15 m (50 ft) tall and 50 cm (20 in) in diameter, roundish and leafy crown, straight trunk, its branches are inserted in an ascending way. The bark is brownish-grey and soft texture and with roughnesses when adult. The leaves are simple and covered with visible dots against the light, very aromatic (citrus odor), they are arranged in whorls of three or in some cases they are opposite, leathery texture. Oblong and lanceolate-oblong shaped, apex slightly apiculate, attenuate base, petiole about 3–4 mm. Slightly toothed edges and the midrib distinct underneath. The leaves are 6.5–13 wide and 2.5-4 long. The flowers are hermaphrodite or unisexual about 1 cm 1 diameter, tetramerous, clustered in three-flowered axillary racemes, pedicels about 3–5.9 mm. Calyx is made up by four opposite sepals. Androecium made up by 8 stamens arranged in two whorls, those external's are longer and (4–5.44 mm) and opposite to the sepals while the internal's whorls are shorter (3-3.5 mm) and oppositte to the petals. The tetracarpelar gynoecium has a superior ovary, globose and with marginal placentation. Styles about 0.8–0.9 mm, little papilose stigmas, the fuit is made up by globose 1–4 drupes (mostly one) about 1.8–2.5 wide and 1.2–2 cm long, greenish-yellow with dark dots. The glossy dark brown seeds are aovate about 0.8–1.5 cm with toothed edge and oblong shaped, the leaves are petiolate, yellowish-green, about 3–6 cm long.
