Chloroleucon tortum
Brazilian raintree
This species, considered critically endangered, exists along the coast of Rio de Janerio state in Brazil and Paraguay. It is prized by bonsai enthusiasts—many of these photos are of bonsai—in part for its tiny leaflets.
Plants: A small tree, it can reach 15–20′ (4.6–6.1 m) in height and up to 18′ (5.5 m) in diameter. The trunk is fluted and exfoliating, with peeling, grayish bark and branches have sharp thorns ⅛–¾″ (5–20 mm) long.
Leaves: It has compound leaves with 3 pairs of bipinnate leaves.
Flowers: White hemispheres that age to yellowish.
Fruits: Corkscrew shaped seed pods contain small yellow seeds.
Habitats: Along the ocean front and in thickets on sandy soils of the coastal plain below 230′ (70 m).
Online References:
Bonsai. · 12/12/2016 · Bonsai West, Littleton, Massachusetts · ≈ 10 × 14″ (24 × 34 cm) 
Bonsai. · 12/12/2016 · Bonsai West, Littleton, Massachusetts 
ID is uncertain 
Bonsai. · 12/12/2016 · Bonsai West, Littleton, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 11″ (20 × 26 cm) 
Bonsai. · 12/12/2016 · Bonsai West, Littleton, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm) 
Bonsai. · 12/12/2016 · Bonsai West, Littleton, Massachusetts · ≈ 1 × 1½′ (34 × 48 cm) ID is uncertain 
4/10/2015 · Naples Botanical Garden, Naples, Florida 
Bonsai. · 12/12/2016 · Bonsai West, Littleton, Massachusetts · ≈ 15 × 10″ (39 × 26 cm) 
Bonsai. · 12/12/2016 · Bonsai West, Littleton, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 10″ (16 × 24 cm) 
| Parents | Unknown | Genus is not in the current taxonomy |
| Genus | Chloroleucon | From Greek χλωρóς (chloros), “green,” and λευκός (leukos), “white.” |
| Species | tortum | Twisted, bent, or distorted, for the branches |
Chloroleucon tortum description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.