Condalia
Encyclopedia
Condalia is a genus of spiny
shrub
s in the tribe
Rhamneae of the buckthorn
family, Rhamnaceae
. It was named for Antonio Condal, an 18th Spanish
physician. Members of the genus are native to tropical
and subtropical
deserts and xeric shrublands
in North
and South America
. The ranges of each species vary considerably; some are confined to only a few square miles, while others can be found on an area up to 1000 sq mi (2,590 km²).
is a broad name and should not be used to establish the identity of any particular species.
or South America
; taxonomy is determined for only one group of species. As a result, a consensus has not been reached regarding the composition of the genus.
uses of Condalia species is small. However, biochemical features of this genus are currently being studied. There may be, however, few local ethnomedical
uses not well documented nor broadly published in relation to a particular species.
Thorns, spines, and prickles
In botanical morphology, thorns, spines, and prickles are hard structures with sharp, or at least pointed, ends. In spite of this common feature, they differ in their growth and development on the plant; they are modified versions of different plant organs, stems, stipules, leaf veins, or hairs...
shrub
Shrub
A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...
s in the tribe
Tribe (biology)
In biology, a tribe is a taxonomic rank between family and genus. It is sometimes subdivided into subtribes.Some examples include the tribes: Canini, Acalypheae, Hominini, Bombini, and Antidesmeae.-See also:* Biological classification* Rank...
Rhamneae of the buckthorn
Buckthorn
The Buckthorns are a genus of about 100 species of shrubs or small trees from 1-10 m tall , in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae...
family, Rhamnaceae
Rhamnaceae
Rhamnaceae, the Buckthorn family, is a large family of flowering plants, mostly trees, shrubs and some vines.The family contains 50-60 genera and approximately 870-900 species. The Rhamnaceae have a worldwide distribution, but are more common in the subtropical and tropical regions...
. It was named for Antonio Condal, an 18th Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
physician. Members of the genus are native to tropical
Tropics
The tropics is a region of the Earth surrounding the Equator. It is limited in latitude by the Tropic of Cancer in the northern hemisphere at approximately N and the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern hemisphere at S; these latitudes correspond to the axial tilt of the Earth...
and subtropical
Subtropics
The subtropics are the geographical and climatical zone of the Earth immediately north and south of the tropical zone, which is bounded by the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, at latitudes 23.5°N and 23.5°S...
deserts and xeric shrublands
Deserts and xeric shrublands
Deserts and xeric shrublands is a biome characterized by, relating to, or requiring only a small amount of moisture.-Definition and occurrence:...
in North
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
and South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. The ranges of each species vary considerably; some are confined to only a few square miles, while others can be found on an area up to 1000 sq mi (2,590 km²).
Common names
Condalia species are often commonly referred to as Bluewood, Purple Haw, Logwood, or Snakewood in English. Southern hemisphere species are of Spanish or Amerindian origin as in "piquillín" or "yuna". Though prevalent, snakewoodSnakewood
Snakewood is a common name of three different plants:* Acacia xiphophylla in Australia* Brosimum guianense in South America* Colubrina species in North America...
is a broad name and should not be used to establish the identity of any particular species.
Taxonomy
Research performed on the members of Condalia usually concerns only the species native to NorthNorth America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
or South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
; taxonomy is determined for only one group of species. As a result, a consensus has not been reached regarding the composition of the genus.
Uses
The amount of research conducted on the economic and medicalHerbalism
Herbalism is a traditional medicinal or folk medicine practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts. Herbalism is also known as botanical medicine, medical herbalism, herbal medicine, herbology, herblore, and phytotherapy...
uses of Condalia species is small. However, biochemical features of this genus are currently being studied. There may be, however, few local ethnomedical
Ethnomedicine
Ethnomedicine is a sub-field of ethnobotany or medical anthropology that deals with the study of traditional medicines: not only those that have relevant written sources Ethnomedicine is a sub-field of ethnobotany or medical anthropology that deals with the study of traditional medicines: not only...
uses not well documented nor broadly published in relation to a particular species.
Species
- Condalia buxifolia ReissekSiegfried ReisseckSiegfried Reisseck was an Austrian naturalist and botanist who specialized in spermatophytes and fungi.Reisseck was assistant keeper at the Royal Botanical Collection in Vienna between 1845 and 1867, when he was appointed head keeper; and from 1848 was a member of the Vienna Academy of Sciences.-...
- Condalia correllii M.C.Johnst. – Correll's Snakewood
- Condalia ericoides (A.GrayAsa Gray-References:*Asa Gray. Dictionary of American Biography. American Council of Learned Societies, 1928–1936.*Asa Gray. Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed. 17 Vols. Gale Research, 1998.*Asa Gray. Plant Sciences. 4 vols. Macmillan Reference USA, 2001....
) M.C.Johnst. – Javelina Bush - Condalia globosaCondalia globosaCondalia globosa, also called Bitter Condalia, or Bitter Snakewood, is a perennial shrub, small tree of the Rhamnaceae family.The tree or shrub is a gray, smooth barked tree, up to 4m tall...
I.M.Johnst.Ivan Murray JohnstonI. M. Johnston , was a United States botanist. He studied at Pomona College in Claremont, California and at Harvard University...
– Bitter Snakewood (Southwestern United StatesSouthwestern United StatesThe Southwestern United States is a region defined in different ways by different sources. Broad definitions include nearly a quarter of the United States, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah...
, northwestern MexicoMexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
) - Condalia hookeri M.C.Johnst. – Brazilian Bluewood
- Condalia mexicana Schltdl.Diederich Franz Leonhard von SchlechtendalDiederich von Schlechtendal was a German botanist born in Xanten. He was Professor of Botany and Director of the Botanical Gardens at the Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg from 1833 until his death in 1866, and Editor of the botanical journal Linnaea.His most important work was in...
- Mexican Bluewood - Condalia microphyllaCondalia microphyllaCondalia microphylla is a perennial shrub of the Rhamnaceae family, that is endemic to Argentina.-References:* USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. GRIN. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland....
Cav.Antonio José CavanillesAntonio José Cavanilles was a leading Spanish taxonomic botanist of the 18th century. He named many plants, particularly from Oceania, his name is abbreviated as Cav...
– Piquillín (ArgentinaArgentinaArgentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
) - Condalia spathulata A.Gray – Knifeleaf Condalia
- Condalia velutina I.M.Johnst.
- Condalia viridis I.M.Johnst. – Green Snakewood
- Condalia warnockii M.C.Johnst. – Warnock Snakewood
- Condalia weberbaeuri Perkins – Yana Yana
Formerly placed here
- Ziziphus obtusifoliaZiziphus obtusifoliaZiziphus obtusifolia is a species of flowering plant in the buckthorn family known by several common names, incluging lotebush, graythorn, gumdrop tree, and Texas buckthorn. It is native to the southwestern United States and much of Mexico, where it grows in shrubby and scrubby desert habitat,...
(Hook. ex Torr. & A.Gray) A.Gray (as C. lycioides (A.Gray) Weberb.)