Clethra
mexicana (Local
name(s), English name(s)) How to recognize: [main features of shape, location, bark, leaves, flowers and fruit that help with eyeball recognition, and specific features that help to distinguish this tree from others]
Uses: [Whetherand how the wood is used, medicinal uses, role in farms and plantations, endangered status]
Sources and Links:
INBio description
SysTax
and others
Scientific Information:
| Division: | Magnoliophyta [example] |
| Class: | Magnoliopsida [example] |
| Order: | Rosales [example] |
| Family: | Ulmaceae [example] |
| Species: | Clethra mexicana |
| Leaves. Leaves are ... |
| Flowers. Flowers are ... |
| Fruit and Seeds. Fruits are |
| Trunk. The trunk is ... |
| Form. The shape of the tree ... |
| Saplings. Seedlings and saplings ... |
| Other. Twigs, etc ... |
| Clethra mexicana Family: Clethraceae Habitat: Occurs above 1400m, common on cut road banks and in old pastures. Sometimes lumped with C. lanata (local = nance macho) Leaves: 5 x 12 cm, bunched at twig tips, widest beyond middle, dense carpet of beige pubescence on the underside, teeth may be faint. Flowers: May to July, 0.5 cm across with 5 white petals and 10 orange brown anthers, spaced along 5-20 spikes at the twig tips, pungent lily-like scent. Fruit: Apr to May, 0.7 cm capsule opening by 3 valves; numerous minute flat brown seeds are dispersed by the wind. Differs from C. lantana in that it has a tall, straight growth form, the cinnamon bark peels in fine longitudinal flakes, and the leaves have more distinct teeth. |