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'''''Afrocarpus''''' is a [[genus]] of [[conifer]]s belonging to the podocarp family [[Podocarpaceae]]. ''Afrocarpus'' was designated a genus in 1989, when several species formerly classified in ''[[Podocarpus]]'' and ''[[Nageia]]'' were reclassified. <ref name="page1989"> Christopher N. Page. 1989. "New and maintained genera in the conifer families Podocarpaceae and Pinaceae". ''Notes of the Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh'' 45(2): 377-395. </ref> Two to six [[species]] are recognized.
'''''Afrocarpus''''' is a [[genus]] of [[conifer]]s belonging to the family [[Podocarpaceae]]. ''Afrocarpus'' was designated a genus in 1989, when several species formerly classified in ''[[Podocarpus]]'' and ''[[Nageia]]'' were reclassified. <ref name="page1989"> Christopher N. Page. 1989. "New and maintained genera in the conifer families Podocarpaceae and Pinaceae". ''Notes of the Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh'' 45(2): 377-395. </ref> Two to six [[species]] are recognized.


As the name intimates, ''Afrocarpus'' is native to [[Africa]]. The species are distributed through the [[Afromontane]] forests of eastern and southern Africa, descending to the [[Indian Ocean]] coast in [[South Africa]]. ''A. gaussenii'' is native of [[Madagascar]].
As the name intimates, ''Afrocarpus'' is native to [[Africa]]. The species are distributed through the [[Afromontane]] forests of eastern and southern Africa, descending to the [[Indian Ocean]] coast in [[South Africa]]. ''A. gaussenii'' is native of [[Madagascar]].


The podocarps are associated with the ancient supercontinent of [[Gondwana]], where they were characteristic of the cool, moist southern Gondwana flora. Gondwana broke up into the continents of [[South America]], [[Africa]], [[India]], [[Australia]] and [[Antarctica]] between 160 and 30 million years ago. As Africa drifted north it became hotter and drier, and the podocarps generally retreated to the cool moist highlands of eastern and southern Africa.
The podocarps are associated with the ancient supercontinent of [[Gondwana]], where they were characteristic of the cool, moist southern Gondwana flora. Gondwana broke up into the continents of [[South America]], [[Africa]], [[India]], [[Australia]], and [[Antarctica]] between 160 and 30 million years ago. As Africa drifted north, it became hotter and drier, and the podocarps generally retreated to the cool, moist highlands of eastern and southern Africa.


In South Africa, this wood is mostly used to make exclusive furniture.
In South Africa, this wood is mostly used to make exclusive furniture.
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''Afrocarpus gaussenii'' was based on a single [[Biological specimen|specimen]] of a [[Horticulture|cultivated]] individual of ''Afrocarpus falcatus'' in Madagascar. Its distinctive features might have resulted from the conditions of its cultivation. No species of ''Afrocarpus'' is known to be native to Madagascar. <ref name="eckenwalder2009"> James E. Eckenwalder. 2009. ''Conifers of the World''. Timber Press: Portland, OR, USA. ISBN 978-0-88192-974-4. </ref>
''Afrocarpus gaussenii'' was based on a single [[Biological specimen|specimen]] of a [[Horticulture|cultivated]] individual of ''Afrocarpus falcatus'' in Madagascar. Its distinctive features might have resulted from the conditions of its cultivation. No species of ''Afrocarpus'' is known to be native to Madagascar. <ref name="eckenwalder2009"> James E. Eckenwalder. 2009. ''Conifers of the World''. Timber Press: Portland, OR, USA. ISBN 978-0-88192-974-4. </ref>


In a recent [[Treatise|treatment]] of ''Afrocarpus'', only two species were recognized. ''A. dawei'', ''A. gracilior'', and ''A. usambarensis'' were sunk into ''A. falcatus''. The reason for this merger was that "variation across the group appears to be essentially continuous". <ref name="eckenwalder2009"/>
In a recent [[Treatise|treatment]] of ''Afrocarpus'', only two species were recognized; ''A. dawei'', ''A. gracilior'', and ''A. usambarensis'' were sunk into ''A. falcatus''. The reason for this merger was that "variation across the group appears to be essentially continuous". <ref name="eckenwalder2009"/>


== Species==
== Species==
* ''[[Afrocarpus dawei]]'' is native to the highlands of east Africa, including [[Kenya]], [[Tanzania]], [[Uganda]], and [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congo]].
* ''[[Afrocarpus dawei]]'' is native to the highlands of east Africa, including [[Kenya]], [[Tanzania]], [[Uganda]], and the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congo]].
* ''[[Afrocarpus falcatus]]'', commonly known as the Outeniqua yellowwood, is a tall tree, generally 10-25 m high, but growing up to 60 m. It is native to montane forests of [[South Africa]], from [[Swellendam]] District of [[Western Cape Province]] to [[Limpopo Province]], and into southern [[Mozambique]].
* ''[[Afrocarpus falcatus]]'', commonly known as the Outeniqua yellowwood, is a tall tree, generally 10-25 m high, but growing up to 60 m. It is native to montane forests of South Africa, from [[Swellendam]] District of [[Western Cape Province]] to [[Limpopo Province]], and into southern [[Mozambique]].
* ''[[Afrocarpus gaussenii]]'', native to the eastern plateau of [[Madagascar]].
* ''[[Afrocarpus gaussenii]]'' is native to the eastern plateau of [[Madagascar]].
* ''[[Afrocarpus gracilior]]'', native to [[Ethiopia]], Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Used in gardens as a tree, hedge, screen, or espalier; generally sold as ''Podocarpus gracilior''.
* ''[[Afrocarpus gracilior]]'', native to [[Ethiopia]], Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, is used in gardens as a tree, hedge, screen, or espalier; generally, it is sold as ''Podocarpus gracilior''.
* ''[[Afrocarpus mannii]]'', native to [[São Tomé Island]] in the [[Gulf of Guinea]].
* ''[[Afrocarpus mannii]]'' is native to [[São Tomé Island]] in the [[Gulf of Guinea]].
* ''[[Afrocarpus usambarensis]]'', native to [[Burundi]], [[Rwanda]], [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congo]], and [[Lushoto]] and [[Mbulu]] districts of [[Tanzania]].
* ''[[Afrocarpus usambarensis]]'' is native to [[Burundi]], [[Rwanda]], the Congo, and [[Lushoto]] and [[Mbulu]] districts of [[Tanzania]].


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 19:18, 15 November 2014

Afrocarpus
Afrocarpus gracilior
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
Division:
Pinophyta
Class:
Pinopsida
Order:
Pinales
Family:
Podocarpaceae
Genus:
Afrocarpus

Type species
Afrocarpus falcatus
Species

Afrocarpus dawei
Afrocarpus falcatus
Afrocarpus gaussenii
Afrocarpus gracilior
Afrocarpus mannii
Afrocarpus usambarensis

Afrocarpus is a genus of conifers belonging to the family Podocarpaceae. Afrocarpus was designated a genus in 1989, when several species formerly classified in Podocarpus and Nageia were reclassified. [1] Two to six species are recognized.

As the name intimates, Afrocarpus is native to Africa. The species are distributed through the Afromontane forests of eastern and southern Africa, descending to the Indian Ocean coast in South Africa. A. gaussenii is native of Madagascar.

The podocarps are associated with the ancient supercontinent of Gondwana, where they were characteristic of the cool, moist southern Gondwana flora. Gondwana broke up into the continents of South America, Africa, India, Australia, and Antarctica between 160 and 30 million years ago. As Africa drifted north, it became hotter and drier, and the podocarps generally retreated to the cool, moist highlands of eastern and southern Africa.

In South Africa, this wood is mostly used to make exclusive furniture.

Taxonomy

Afrocarpus gaussenii was based on a single specimen of a cultivated individual of Afrocarpus falcatus in Madagascar. Its distinctive features might have resulted from the conditions of its cultivation. No species of Afrocarpus is known to be native to Madagascar. [2]

In a recent treatment of Afrocarpus, only two species were recognized; A. dawei, A. gracilior, and A. usambarensis were sunk into A. falcatus. The reason for this merger was that "variation across the group appears to be essentially continuous". [2]

Species

References

  1. ^ Christopher N. Page. 1989. "New and maintained genera in the conifer families Podocarpaceae and Pinaceae". Notes of the Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh 45(2): 377-395.
  2. ^ a b James E. Eckenwalder. 2009. Conifers of the World. Timber Press: Portland, OR, USA. ISBN 978-0-88192-974-4.
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