Plate 079 · with a Rufous-bellied Thrush IdentificationFive marks on the plate
- 1Three-part leaf, alternate.
- 2Toothed margin on the leaflets.
- 3Bright red drupe, in hanging bunches.
- 4Small white flowers in sprays.
- 5Rufous-bellied Thrush, one of its seed dispersers.
Easily confused with Molle de beberLithraea molleoidesLeaves with 3 to 5 leaflets on a winged axis, and whitish fruit. Its sap irritates the skin. 079 / 100 · PLANTS · SAPINDACEAELEAST CONCERN Chal-chal
Allophylus edulis
Chal-chal
A small tree of the montane forest with three-part leaves and bunches of bright red fruit. Birds seek the fruit out and so spread its seeds through the forest. People can eat the fruit too.
- Height
- 4 – 8 m
- Leaf
- 3 leaflets, 5 – 10 cm
- Fruit
- bright red drupe
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Bird fruit
- Edible fruit
- Evergreen
- Soapberry family
Altitude rangeA montane forest tree
Montane forest In the north-west it grows in Salta, Jujuy, Catamarca and Tucumán. In the Yungas it occurs in the montane forest. It also lives in north-east Argentina.
EcologyFruit for the forest
- Thrushes and other birdseat the fruit
- Insectsvisit the flowers
- Forest interiorunderstorey and lower canopy
Its fruit is edible and much sought by birds. It is sometimes planted in squares and parks.
Life cycleWhite flowers, red fruit
- White sprays. The flowers are small and white, borne in sprays.
- Red fruit. The fruit is a round, bright red drupe.
- Planted by birds. Birds eat the fruit and drop the seeds far from the tree.
Where to look in Tucumán- Sierra de San Javier
- Reserva Experimental Horco Molle
- Parque Provincial La Florida
- Río Los Sosa
- Quebrada de Lules