Status:
valid
Authors:
A.C.Sm.
Source:
tro
Year:
1940
Citation Micro:
Brittonia 3: 471 (1940)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0001065456
Common Names
- Leptophylla Tontelea
- Leptophylla Tontelea Tree
- Leptophylla Tontelea Plant
Description
Tontelea leptophylla (also called Leptophyllous tontelea, among many other common names) is a shrub or small tree that grows up to 8 m tall. It is native to the Atlantic Forest biome of Brazil and is found in the understory of moist forests. It has alternate, simple, ovate leaves with a smooth margin and a rounded tip. The flowers are white and the fruits are red.
Uses & Benefits
Tontelea leptophylla is used in traditional medicine for treating fever, headaches, and other ailments. It is also used as an ornamental plant.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Tontelea leptophylla has yellow flowers with five petals and yellow anthers. The seeds are small, round and black in color. The seedlings are small and have five leaflets.
Cultivation and Propagation
Tontelea leptophylla is propagated by seed. It prefers a warm, humid climate and well-drained soil. It is tolerant of light shade but prefers full sun. It needs to be watered regularly and fertilized twice a year.
Where to Find Tontelea leptophylla
Tontelea leptophylla is native to South America and can be found in nurseries and garden centers in the United States.
Species in the Tontelea genus
Tontelea attenuata,
Tontelea hondurensis,
Tontelea mauritioides,
Tontelea laxiflora,
Tontelea cylindrocarpa,
Tontelea congestiflora,
Tontelea coriacea,
Tontelea sandwithii,
Tontelea corcovadensis,
Tontelea emarginata,
Tontelea leptophylla,
Tontelea corymbosa,
Tontelea tenuicula,
Tontelea lanceolata,
Tontelea micrantha,
Tontelea miersii,
Tontelea martiana,
Tontelea fuliginea,
Tontelea passiflora,
Species in the Celastraceae family
Acanthothamnus aphyllus,
Allocassine laurifolia,
Anthodon decussatus,
Anthodon panamense,
Apatophyllum constablei,
Apatophyllum flavovirens,
Apatophyllum macgillivrayi,
Apatophyllum olsenii,
Apatophyllum teretifolium,
Apodostigma pallens,
Arnicratea cambodiana,
Arnicratea ferruginea,
Bequaertia mucronata,
Brassiantha pentamera,
Brassiantha hedraiantheroides,
Brexia alaticarpa,
Brexia australis,
Brexia madagascariensis,
Brexia marioniae,
Brexiella cymosa,
Brexiella ilicifolia,
Campylostemon angolense,
Campylostemon bequaertii,
Campylostemon danckelmannianus,
Campylostemon laurentii,
Campylostemon lindequistianus,
Campylostemon mitophorus,
Campylostemon warneckeanum,
Canotia holacantha,
Canotia wendtii,
Cassine albens,
Cassine balae,
Cassine burkeana,
Cassine congylos,
Cassine grossa,
Cassine kedarnathii,
Cassine koordersii,
Cassine megaphylla,
Cassine micrantha,
Cassine obiensis,
Cassine parvifolia,
Cassine peragua,
Cassine kamurensis,
Catha edulis,
Celastrus aculeatus,
Celastrus angulata,
Celastrus australis,
Celastrus caseariifolius,
Celastrus cuneatus,
Celastrus flagellaris,