| Nothofagus fusca | ||||||||||||||
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| Nothofagus fusca (Hook.f.) Oerst. | ||||||||||||||
Nothofagus fusca (New Zealand Red Beech) is a species of Nothofagus, endemic to New Zealand, where it occurs on both North Island and South Island.
It is a medium-sized evergreen tree growing to 35 m tall. The leaves are alternately arranged, broad ovoid, 2 to 4 cm long and 1.5 to 3 cm broad, the margin distinctively double-toothed with each lobe bearing two teeth. The fruit is a small cupule containing three seeds.
Uses
It is the only known plant source, apart from Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), of the C-linked dihydrochalcone glycoside Nothofagin [1][2].
It is also grown as an ornamental tree in regions with a mild oceanic climate.
References
- ↑ Hillis W, Inoue T (1967). "The polyphenols of Nothofagus species - II. The heartwood of Nothofagus fusca". Phytochemistry 6: 59-67.
- ↑ Bramati L et al (2002). "Quantitative Characterization of Flavonoid Compounds in Rooibos Tea (Aspalathus Linearis) by LC-UV/DAD". Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (Elsevier) 50: 5513-5519.