Boquila
| Boquila | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| Order: | Ranunculales |
| Family: | Lardizabalaceae |
| Genus: | Boquila Decne. |
| Species: | B. trifoliolata |
| Binomial name | |
| Boquila trifoliolata (DC.) Decne. | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Boquila is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the family Lardizabalaceae,[2] native to temperate forests of central and southern Chile and Argentina. The sole species is Boquila trifoliolata (DC.) Decne., known as Pilpil, Voqui, Voquicillo, Voquillo, Voqui blanco in Chile. It bears an edible fruit (Boquila berries).
This species has been shown to be capable of mimicking the leaves of its supporting trees.[3]
Ernesto Gianoli said "Boquila’s leaves are extraordinarily diverse. The biggest ones can be 10 times bigger than the smallest, and they can vary from very light to very dark. In around three-quarters of cases, they’re similar to the closest leaf from another tree, matching it in size, area, length of stalk, angle, and color. Boquila’s leaves can even grow a spiny tip when, and only when, it climbs onto a shrub with spine-tipped leaves."[4]
See also
- Lardizabala, a related species also grown for its fruit
Sources
- ↑ "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved June 19, 2014.
- ↑ SB Hoot, A Culham, PR Crane, 1995. The utility of atpB gene sequences in resolving phylogenetic relationships: comparison with rbcL and 18S ribosomal DNA sequences in the Lardizabalaceae. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, 194-207
- ↑ Gianoli, E.; Carrasco-Urra, F. "Leaf Mimicry in a Climbing Plant Protects against Herbivory". Current Biology. 24 (9): 984–987. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2014.03.010.
- ↑ Ed Yong (24 April 2014). "The Most Versatile Impressionist In the Forest". National Geographic. Retrieved 21 February 2016.