Hualo
Nothofagus glauca

Family: Nothofagaceae

What it is like

A large tree. It grows 30 m tall. The trunk is 2 m across. The trunk is straight. The bark is grey-brown and rough. The leaves are alternate. They have glands on both surfaces giving them a rough surface. The edges are wavy and have irregular teeth. The leaf blade is twisted and 5-9 cm long. Male and female flowers are separate. Male flowers occur singly and female flowers in groups of three. The fruit is shaped like a cup with 4 valves. There are 3 yellowish nuts 1-2 cm long.

There are about 35 Nothofagus species. These have previously been in the Fagaceae. This one grows traditionally in South America.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows on thin rocky soils in the mountains in Chile. It grows to 1,500 m altitude. It grows naturally between 34°-37° S in Chile. It can tolerate long droughts. Hobart Botanical Gardens. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Chile, South America, Tasmania

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Nuts

How it is grown

It has been found to be difficult to cultivate.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Fagus glauca Phil.; Nothofagus megalocarpa Reiche;