About Lomatia hirsuta (Lam.) Diels
Lomatia hirsuta is an evergreen tree that can reach up to 15 meters (50 feet) in height and 80 centimeters (31 inches) in trunk diameter. It has light-grey bark marked by longitudinal fissures. Its leaves grow in an alternate arrangement, have an ovate shape with a heart-shaped base, and measure 5–20 cm (2.0–7.9 in) long and 4–12 cm (1.6–4.7 in) wide, with toothed edges. The leaf petioles are around 2–3 cm (0.8–1.2 in) long. Leaves are dark glossy green on the upper surface and dull on the lower surface, with clearly visible venation on the underside. The species produces hermaphrodite greenish-yellow flowers covered in rusty red fuzz or coating. Flowers are arranged in clustered axillary inflorescences. Each individual flower has four linear tepals, 4 sessile stamens, and a shorter style. The fruit is a greyish-black, almost woody oval-oblong follicle 2–4 cm long, that splits open along two valves. The seeds are brown, winged, arranged in overlapping imbricate rows, and measure about 15 mm wide and 5.6 mm long. The wood of Lomatia hirsuta has attractive grain patterns, and is similar to the wood of Chilean hazel, though described as less elegant. Its leaves are used to produce a brown dye for wood. This species has been planted in Spain and across the British Isles, as far north as Scotland.
