Cneorum tricoccon, the spurge olive,[2] is a small shrub of the family Rutaceae, native to Europe in the western Mediterranean Region.[2][3]

Cneorum tricoccon
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Rutaceae
Genus: Cneorum
Species:
C. tricoccon
Binomial name
Cneorum tricoccon
Synonyms[1]
  • Chamaelea tricoccos (L.) Lam.
  • Cneorum trimerum (Urb.) Chodat
  • Cubincola trimera Urb.

Description

edit

Cneorum tricoccon reaches an average of 0.6 metres (2.0 ft) in height and is in leaf all year. The plant which is nearly round and evergreen in color. The yellowish flowers occur from June to July, and their seeds ripen from August to September. The spurge olive plant is also hermaphroditic.

Cneorum tricoccon prefers light sandy soils that are common in the Mediterranean and also requires soils that drain particularly well. Spurge olive must have considerable sunlight to grow, and often stunts when in much of shade.

Uses

edit

Its fruit has no food value. The plant is rich in tannin, and can be used as a source of fuel.

References

edit
  1. ^ "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Plants for a Future". Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  3. ^ "Breakage of Mutualisms by Exotic Species: The Case of Cneorum tricoccon L. in the Balearic Islands (Western Mediterranean Sea)" Journal of Biogeography. Retrieved 2015-11-08.
edit