Mountain whitethorn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mountain whitethorn |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ceanothus
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| Species: |
cordulatus
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The Ceanothus cordulatus is a type of shrub often called mountain whitethorn or whitethorn ceanothus. It belongs to the plant family Rhamnaceae. This plant is found naturally in California and nearby parts of Oregon, Nevada, and Baja California. It likes to grow on mountain ridges and in forested areas.
Contents
About the Mountain Whitethorn
This shrub usually spreads out more than it grows tall. It can reach about 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) in height. Its main stems are gray. The newer, younger twigs are yellow-green and feel a bit fuzzy.
What It Looks Like
The leaves of the mountain whitethorn stay green all year round. They are arranged one after another along the stem. Each leaf is oval-shaped and can be up to 3 centimeters (about 1 inch) long. They usually have three clear lines, or "ribs," and their edges are smooth, not toothed. Some leaves might be hairy, while others are not.
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers of this plant grow in a cluster called an inflorescence. This cluster looks like a pyramid or cone, which is called a panicle. It can be up to 4 centimeters (about 1.5 inches) long. The flowers are white or off-white. Each flower has five sepals (leaf-like parts that protect the bud) and five petals.
After the flowers, the plant produces a fruit. This fruit is a rough, ridged capsule. It is about half a centimeter (0.2 inches) long. Inside, it has three sections, or "valves." Each valve holds one seed.
Special Abilities of the Whitethorn
The mountain whitethorn is a special plant because it can "fix" nitrogen. This means it can take nitrogen gas from the air and turn it into a form that plants can use to grow. This is very important for the soil.
This plant is especially common in very old forests. It helps add nitrogen to the soil there. Also, after big events like forest fires, the Ceanothus cordulatus helps the land recover. It provides important nitrogen for a long time, much longer than other similar plants that grow after a disturbance. This helps new plants grow and the forest heal.
