Leucocroton havanensis | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
(unranked): | Rosids |
Order: | Malpighiales |
Family: | Euphorbiaceae |
Genus: | Leucocroton |
Species: | L. havanensis |
Binomial name | |
Leucocroton havanensis Borhidi |
Leucocroton havanensis is an endemic species to Cuba. It is located on serpentine soils and limestone rock in the western and central part of the country and also found in Hispaniola. It is an evergreen tree that has dioecious flowering, meaning the species has distinct male and female individuals. The plant only grows on a small serpentine island.
The uses by this plant are purely for studying and discovering because it is a newly discovered species and lots of research has to be done to find its uses. However, scientists have discovered that the Leucocroton genus is a Nickel hyperaccumulator, which means it can absorb dangerous amounts of Nickel.