Embothrium

Embothrium is a genus of two to eight species in the plant family Proteaceae, native to southern South America, in Chile and adjacent western Argentina and southern Peru; the genus occurs as far south as Tierra del Fuego. Common names include Chilean Firebush in English, and Notro, Ciruelillo, Fosforito in Chilean Spanish.

They are large shrubs or trees growing to 10-20 m tall with a trunk up to 70 cm diameter. E. coccimeum and perhaps others, is also highly prone to suckering and unmanaged plants often form dense groves comprising of very many suckering shoots. The leaves are evergreen, occasionally deciduous in cold areas, 5-12 cm long and 2-4 cm broad. The flowers are produced in dense bunches, brilliant red (rarely white or yellow), tubular, 2.5-4.5 cm long, split into four lobes near the apex which reflex to expose the stamens and style.


USES
Embothrium coccineum is grown as an ornamental plant for its vivid red flowers. It is only successful in oceanic climates, which away from its native area includes western Europe (mainly the British Isles and the Faroe Islands), the coast of the Pacific Northwest of North America, and New Zealand.


Some Species
Embothrium coccineum - Chilean firetree, Chilean firebush, Notro in Spanish (Embothrium coccineum), is a small evergreen tree in the family Proteaceae. It grows in the temperate forests of Chile and Argentina. It produces deep red flowers (occasionally pale yellow) which group in clusters; blooming occurs in spring. The fruit is a dry follicle, with about 10 seeds inside.
It grows 4–15 m (13–50 ft) tall and can reach 50 cm (20 in) in diameter. The bark is dark grey with light spots. Its wood is light pink color, and besides for being very soft but durable, is used for elaborating spoons, kitchen vessels and another craft articles.
It is grown as an ornamental in Great Britain and the United States. and as far north as Faroe Islands at 62º North latitude.

Embothrium lanceolatum - Chile, Argentina

Embothrium grandiflorum - at high altitudes in the Andes

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