Sarcomphalus mistol

Sarcomphalus mistol (Griseb.) Hauenschild

Sarcomphalus mistol is a spiniferous shrub or tree in the Rhamnaceae family, native to South America. It occurs in Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, and northern Argentina, where it is particularly abundant in the Gran Chaco region. The name 'mistol' comes from colonial Spanish, derived from 'mezcla,' meaning 'mixture,' as early colonists thought it was a hybrid of Schinopsis species due to the color of its wood.

Description

Sarcomphalus mistol, known as mistol, is a member of the Rhamnaceae family. It is found in Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, and northern Argentina, with a notable presence in the Gran Chaco. The name 'mistol' originates from the Spanish word 'mezcla,' reflecting the belief among early colonists that the tree was a hybrid of Schinopsis species because its wood resembled a mixture of different types.