Schinopsis is a genus of South American trees in the family Anacardiaceae, also known by the common names quebracho, quebracho colorado and red quebracho. In Brazil it is known as baraúna or braúna.
Description The species within this genus inhabit different regions of the Gran Chaco ecoregion including parts of northern Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay. In Brazil it can be found as a component of the Caatinga in the northwestern region.
The name is in recognition of the hardness of the wood from the Spanish quiebra-hacha ("axe-breaker"). It also distinguishes the species from the "white quebracho" trees of the unrelated genus Aspidosperma.
Schinopsis is the exclusive food plant of the moth Coleophora haywardi.
Species Schinopsis balansae (common name: quebracho colorado chaqueño) Schinopsis boqueronensis Schinopsis brasiliensis Schinopsis cornuta Schinopsis haenkeana Schinopsis heterophylla (common name: Quebracho colorado mestizo) Schinopsis lorentzii , synonym S. quebracho-colorado (common name: quebracho colorado santiagueño) Schinopsis marginata Schinopsis peruviana
Uses The timber is used in furniture and on railroads due to its durability.
Parasites and pathogens Schinopsis is the sole host of the ancestral powdery mildew species Caespitotheca forestalis, which is known from Schinopsis balansae, Schinopsis haenkeana, and Schinopsis lorentzii.
References