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Allenrolfea vaginata (Griseb.) Kuntze

Family: CHENOPODIACEAE

Publication: Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 546 1891

Description

Allenrolfea vaginata is a succulent, articulate perennial shrubs 1 to 2.5 m tall, with strongly reduces leaves that wrap the stem to form rings.

Stems: Densely branched, erect, knobby, green, fleshy and jointed at the internodes between segments.

Leaves: Strongly reduces appearing as flaky scales scattered across the surface of the stems.

Flowers: 3 to 5 in the axil of peltate, scale-like, persistent, spirally arranged, free bracts; perianth 4-5- lobed at the apex, unmodified in fruit. Stamens 1-2. Stigmas 2(-3).

Seeds: Vertical; embryo hooked; radicle inferior; perisperm abundant.

Origin and Habitat

Allenrolfea vaginata is endemic to northern Argentina (Catamarca, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza, Neuquen, Salta, Sgo. del Estero, Santa Fe, San Juan, San Luis, Tucumán) and Bolivia.

Altitude range: 0-500 Metres above sea level.

Habitat and ecology: Hygro-halophile communities of saline depressions, arroyos and inundatable alluvial fans of the Monte semideserts. It grows in sandy soil, often salty and alcaline and suffering periods of flooding. It is found intermingled with spinescent xeric shrubs and in some places with several tree cactus, which are able to tolerate a certain concentration of salts. This halophyte has developed mechanisms of adaptation that allow it to withstand the high concentration of salts.

Cultivation and Propagation

Usually not cultivated.

Uses: Alkaline ashes are produced by Allenrolfea vaginata, a species present in the monte, and are used in the production of soap and the preparation of olives.

Bibliography

Major references and further lectueres

  1. Soriano, A. 1947b; Giusti, L. 1984; Pensiero, J. F., Gutiérrez, H. F., Luchetti, A. M., Exner, E., Kern, V., Brnich, E., Oakley, L. J., Prado, D. E. & Lewis, J. P. “Flora vascular de la provincia de Santa Fe” 2005

  2. Zuloaga, F. O. 1997. “Catálogo de las plantas vasculares de la Argentina.” Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 74(1–2): 1–1331.

  3. Zuloaga, F. O., O. Morrone, M. J. Belgrano, C. Marticorena & E. Marchesi. (eds.) 2008. “Catálogo de las Plantas Vasculares del Cono Sur (Argentina, Sur de Brasil, Chile, Paraguay y Uruguay).” Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 107(1): i–xcvi, 1–983; 107(2): i–xx, 985–2286; 107(3): i–xxi, 2287–3348.

  4. J. R. Goodin, David K. Northington “Plant Resources of Arid and Semiarid Lands: A Global Perspective” Academic Press, 25 set 2013

  5. Giménez, A. M.; M. E. Figueroa; P. Hernández; M. Cejas “Jume negro (Allenrolfea vaginata Kuntze, Chenopodiaceae): potencialidades de usos en la rigurosidad del ambiente salino” Quebracho N° 15 (32-36)