What is a stone tree? Can a plant really turn out of stone? Or is it just a form of stone resembling a tree? It’s worth sorting it out. Of course, it does not consist of stone. There are two plants called a stone tree: boxwood and southern frame. That's about them and will be discussed.
Common carcass (southern)
The frame, or stone tree, has more than 50 species. Most often they are deciduous plants, but sometimes evergreens. There is a frame in the form of a bush. It grows in the tropics, subtropics and the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. What is the shape of a stone tree? This tree has a rounded shape. The leaves are oval (up to 15 cm), elongated, with small notches. The structure of the leaves is very rigid.
The framework is adapted to arid, stony soil prone to salinity. He is very thermophilic. Also, the frame is well established in urban environments, used for decorative purposes.
Where does the stone tree meet
In vivo, the skeleton is found in southern Europe, in the north of the African continent and in some Asian countries. Small frame trees grow in the Crimea, in the east of the Caucasus. A whole garden of stone trees can be found in Israel. Stone tree is a long-lived, some species live up to 500 years. It has a straight trunk and can reach up to 20 meters in height. The frame is adapted to sub-zero temperatures, it can withstand frost up to -20 0 С.
Use of fruits and leaves
The stone tree has edible fruits. In ripened form, they acquire a dark purple color, almost black. The fruits are in the shape of a small ball. In Israel, a national delicacy is made from these fruits. There are seeds inside the fruit. They make very useful oil, reminiscent of almond in composition. Also, the fruits are ground into flour and a delicious dish is prepared from it - “take” (porridge). Many owners in Armenia plant a frame in the gardens for the sake of these fruits. The tannins that are contained in the bark of this tree are used to produce fabric dyes.
Goat leaves and silkworms like to enjoy the leaves of the frame. And the birds are very fond of pecking.
How is it used on the farm
The stone tree is a good decorative material. Today, many bonsai trees of this species have been bred, which live beautifully in indoor conditions. After all, the frame is very resistant to air pollution. It has a greenish-yellow wood, which is very dense and hard, well polished. Various souvenirs, canes, musical instruments and many other wooden products are made from it.
Southern frame in medicine
The stone tree has good healing properties and is widely used in medicine. It contains elements of organic acids, tannins, pectin, coloring matter, sugar, oil, many vitamins, mineral salts. From the roots and fruits of the stone tree make decoctions that are used to treat diarrhea, dysentery. They also well strengthen the cardiovascular system, increase the protective functions of the body. To prepare such decoctions, fruits and roots are harvested in advance: berries - after ripening, and roots - before the growing season.
What is famous for the frame
The stone tree is famous for its extraordinary properties. Its heavy and dense wood is very much appreciated. It is characterized by flexibility, elasticity, strength, hardness, so it has long been widely used in construction. Many have heard about the mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, and so it was built in the XII century (Turkmenistan) precisely from the southern frame.
Many peoples in ancient times loved to wear various talismans and amulets. In many Central Asian countries, such miraculous gizmos were made of stone wood. They were worn around the neck or hung in dwellings. It was also believed that pieces of wood of the frame have magical powers, they protected from evil spirits and poor eyes. Such pieces, or "dagans, " were hung above the entrance to the house or at the gate.
The stone tree is not very demanding, it is easy to grow. In some areas of Israel, it is considered sacred, it is used in many areas. They make beads from the fruits of the frame and put them on the neck of children or animals. This is considered a good sign, protecting from adversity.
