Nothofagus antarctica

Nothofagus antarctica (Antarctic beech;[1] in Spanish Ñire or Ñirre) is a deciduous tree or shrub native to southern Chile and Argentina from about 36°S to Tierra del Fuego (56° S), where it grows mainly in the diminishing temperate rainforest.

"Nire" redirects here. For several Japanese ships, see Japanese ship Nire.

Nothofagus antarctica
Nothofagus antarctica in Torres del Paine National Park
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fagales
Family: Nothofagaceae
Genus: Nothofagus
Subgenus: Nothofagus subg. Nothofagus
Species:
N. antarctica
Binomial name
Nothofagus antarctica
(Forster) Oerst.
Synonyms

Fagus antarctica

Its occurrence on Hoste Island has previously earned it the distinction of being the southernmost tree on earth; however, in 2019 it was established that N. betuloides was found further south, on Hornos Island. N. antarctica is present on Hornos as well, but the southernmost individual is slightly further north (17 m) of the southernmost N. betuloides.

Description
Foliage

Nothofagus antarctica typically grows 5–25 m (12–80 ft) tall and has a slender trunk with scaly bark. The leaves are simple and alternate, growing 2–4.5 cm long, and often viscid, with a sweetly scented wax. The leaf color is medium green, turning yellow to orange in the fall. The leaves are broadly ovate to triangular, crinkly, rounded at the tips, irregularly and minutely toothed.

The flowers are inconspicuous yellow-green catkins. The fruit is a 6 mm, very fragrant 4-valved capsule containing three small nuts.

Cultivation

Nothofagus antarctica has been planted on the North Pacific Coast of the United States[2] and in Great Britain where it thrives. Trees planted in the Faroes, which were imported directly from its southernmost distribution in Tierra del Fuego, have shown good hardiness.[3]

NB: Lophozonia moorei, found in Australia, is also referred to as "Antarctic beech".

References
  1. Baldwin, H. (2018). "Nothofagus antarctica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T96477198A96479935. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T96477198A96479935.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. "Nothofagus antarctica in Washington Park Arboretum" (PDF). Seattle Government. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
  3. Højgaard, A., J. Jóhansen, and S. Ødum (eds) 1989. A century of tree planting in the Faroe Islands. Føroya Frodskaparfelag, Torshavn

Further reading
  • Donoso, C. 2005. Árboles nativos de Chile. Guía de reconocimiento. Edición 4. Marisa Cuneo Ediciones, Valdivia, Chile. 136p.
  • Hoffmann, Adriana. 1998. Flora Silvestre de Chile, Zona Central. Edición 4. Fundación Claudio Gay, Santiago. 254p.
  • Rodríguez, R. & Quezada, M. 2003. Fagaceae. En C. Marticorena y R. Rodríguez [eds.], Flora de Chile Vol. 2(2), pp 64–76. Universidad de Concepción, Concepción.

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