- Ombú
:"for the Tibetan village see
Ombu, Tibet "Taxobox
name = Ombú
image_width = 250px
image_caption = Ombú inFullerton Arboretum
regnum =Plant ae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis =Magnoliopsida
ordo =Caryophyllales
familia =Phytolaccaceae
genus =Phytolacca
species = "P. dioica"
binomial = "Phytolacca dioica"
binomial_authority = L.The ombú is a massive evergreen
herb native to thePampas ofSouth America . The tree has an umbrella-like canopy that spreads to a girth of 12 to 15 meters (40 to 50 feet) and can attain a height of 12 to 18 meters (40 to 60 feet). The ombú grows fast but being herbaceous its wood is soft and spongy enough to be cut with a knife. Because of this, it is also used in the art ofbonsai , as it is easily manipulated to create the desired effect. Since the sap is poisonous, the ombú is not grazed by cattle and is immune to locusts and other pests. For similar reasons, the leaves are sometimes used as a laxative or purgant. It is a symbol ofUruguay ,Argentina , and ofGaucho culture, as its canopy is quite distinguishable from afar and provides comfort and shelter from sun and rain.The tree is categorized in the same genus as the
North America npokeweed . The species is also cultivated inSouthern California as a shade tree.
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