{{short description|Species of plant}} {{Speciesbox |image = Aruera.jpg |genus = Lithraea |species = molleoides |authority = ([[José Mariano de Conceição Vellozo|Vell.]]) [[Adolf Engler|Engl.]] |synonyms_ref=<ref>{{GRIN | accessdate = 16 January 2018}}</ref> |synonyms={{collapsible list|bullets=true |title=Synonymy |''Lithraea molleoides'' [[var.]] ''lorentziana'' [[Miguel Lillo|Lillo]] |''Lithraea ternifolia'' |''Schinus brasiliensis'' [[Nestor Léon Marchand|Marchand]] ex [[Ángel Lulio Cabrera|Cabrera]] |''Schinus leucocarpus'' M. |''Schinus molleoides'' ([[José Mariano de Conceição Vellozo|Vell.]]) [[Adolf Engler|Engler]] |''Lithraea aroeirinha'' Marchand ex [[Johannes Eugenius Bülow Warming|Warm.]] }} }}
'''''Lithraea molleoides''''' is a tree (2.5{{clarify|date=May 2025|reason=2.5 what?}} and 8 m tall) that is native to [[South America]], specially in [[Argentina]], [[Uruguay]], [[Bolivia]], and the [[Cerrado]] vegetation of [[Brazil]].
==Landscaping== The plant is commonly considered as unsuitable to [[landscaping]], as it is a [[poisonous plant]]: it produces volatile substances that propagate from touching the leaves, through contact with droplets, or through the tree's [[pollen]]. These substances are allergenic<ref>Cf. Paulo Backes & Bruno Irgang, ''Mata Atlântica: as árvores e a paisagem'', Porto Alegre, Paisagem do Sul, 2004, page 100</ref> and contact with them may produce general allergic sensitivity, skin disease, fever, and visual problems.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Shimizu |first1=Mario Tsunezi |last2=Bueno |first2=Leandro de Jesus Franco |last3=Rodrigues |first3=Rosa Fátima Oliveira |last4=Sallowicz |first4=Fabiano Augusto |last5=Sawaya |first5=Alexandra Christine Helena Frankland |last6=Marques |first6=Márcia Ortiz Maio |title=Essential oil of ''Lithraea molleoides'' (Vell.): chemical composition and antimicrobial activity |journal=Brazilian Journal of Microbiology |volume=37 |issue=4 |date=October–December 2006|pages=556–560 |doi=10.1590/S1517-83822006000400028 |doi-access=free |hdl=11449/26633 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> Planting this tree where it can be accessible to the general public is therefore strongly discouraged.
==Popular custom== In [[Uruguay]], folk tradition states that people are supposed to salute the tree in a way according to the time of day. {{citation needed|date=February 2022}} For example, if somebody encounters the tree during the day, they are supposed to say "Good night, Mr. (or Mrs.) Aruera". Similarly, if it is during the night, they would say "Good day, Mr. Aruera".
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{in lang|es}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20070928104810/http://www.sib.gov.ar/fichas/flora.aspx?id=Lithraea%20molleoides&accion=tecnica Sistema de Información de Biodiversidad: ''Lithraea molleoides'']
{{Taxonbar|from=Q15545669}}
[[Category:Lithraea|molleoides]] [[Category:Trees of Argentina]] [[Category:Trees of Bolivia]] [[Category:Trees of Brazil]] [[Category:Flora of the Cerrado]] [[Category:Medicinal plants of South America]]