Schinopsis lorentzii

Schinopsis lorentzii
File:Schinopsis lorentzii.jpg
Conservation status
Vulnerable (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Sapindales
Family:	Anacardiaceae
Genus:	Schinopsis
Species:	S. lorentzii
Binomial name
Schinopsis lorentzii Engl.
Synonyms
Schinopsis quebracho-colorado

Schinopsis lorentzii is a hardwood tree known as red quebracho, native of the Paraguayan subtropical area, which forms forests in Gran Chaco region of Argentina, in Paraguay, and Bolivia. Some of its common names are coronillo, quebracho Cornillo (Brazil), quebracho chaqueño, quebracho colorado santiagueño, quebracho macho, and quebracho bolí. The qualification colorado ("red") differentiates it from other species of common quebracho tree, the Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco (quebracho blanco, "white quebracho", family Apocynaceae). The indication santiagueño (from Santiago del Estero) is made to distinguish it from quebracho colorado chaqueño, a closely related species (Schinopsis balansae).

It is considered a symbol of the Gran Chaco region. This tree is commercially very important due to its extremely hard and durable wood, and because of its tannin. The tanning industry has been exploiting quebracho forests for more than 100 years. This massive explotation has led to the loss of 85% of the original Quebracho forests on in Argentina.

References

• Commercial timbers
• Quebracho on Encyclopedia.com