About Olmediella betschleriana (Göpp.) Loes.
Olmediella is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the family Salicaceae, containing only one tree species: Olmediella betschleriana. This species is native to Central America. The genus Olmediella was formerly placed in the mixed, heterogeneous family Flacourtiaceae, but it is now classified in Salicaceae. Its close relatives within this family include Bennettiodendron, Carrierea, Idesia, Itoa, Macrohasseltia, Poliothyrsis, as well as willows (Salix) and cottonwoods (Populus). Olmediella has several traits that indicate its close relationship to willows (Salix): its flowers are subtended by prominent bracts, its flowers have a highly reduced calyx, and nectaries sit next to each stamen or pistil. However, its leaves sometimes have spiny margins, a feature not seen in any Salix species. Because of this difference, some early botanists placed this species in the genus Ilex instead.
