Pau-ferro (Iron wood)

Description:

Myrrhinium is a monotypic genus of shrubs or small trees belonging to the family Myrtaceae. Its only species is Myrrhinium atropurpureum [Schott in KPJSprengel, Syst. Veg. 4 (2): 404 (1827)] . It is a small tree reaching 3-4 meters. The bark is persistent and dark. The dark evergreen leaves are simple, opposite, elliptic-lanceolate, green color, full rim, glabrous, with sunken midrib. The flowers are in corymbose tops directly on woody branches and twigs. Fleshy petals are pearly white with long red stamens, and very bright color. It blooms in late winter and early spring. The fruit is an ovoid berry 5 mm in diameter, black color, with persistent floral remains. Fruiting in summer and autumn.

Habitat:

It is native to South America, especially in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay

Notes:

Its wood is very hard, produces good firewood and charcoal. It is of great value as an ornamental plant for its bloom, and it is also used in crafts for easy carving. Currently believed to be in danger of extinction, so it should be protected, and people who often use it educated, as its ecological value is great. It is said to come to live 1000 years