Cyprus cedar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cyprus cedar |
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| Cedrus brevifolia |
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The Cyprus cedar (Cedrus brevifolia) is a large coniferous tree. This means it's a type of tree that keeps its needle-like leaves all year round. It belongs to the cedrus genus, which is a group of similar plants. You can find this special tree growing naturally only on the island of Cyprus. It lives high up in the Troödos Mountains. Some experts think it might be a special kind (a variety or subspecies) of the famous Cedar of Lebanon.
Contents
What the Cyprus Cedar Looks Like
The Cyprus cedar is an impressive tree. It can grow up to 25 meters (about 82 feet) tall. It can also spread out to 12 meters (about 39 feet) wide.
How it Grows
When a Cyprus cedar is young, it has a shape like a cone, similar to a Christmas tree. As it gets older, it becomes wider. Its top also flattens out.
Its Bark and Leaves
The bark of the Cyprus cedar is silvery-grey. As the tree gets older, its bark becomes thicker. It also develops deep cracks. The leaves are like needles. They are usually grey-green to mid-green. Sometimes, they can even be a bluish-green color. These needles are attached in two ways:
- They grow one by one on long shoots.
- They grow in tight groups of 20 to 30 needles on shorter shoots.
Its Cones and Seeds
The cones of the Cyprus cedar are shaped like cylinders. They are about 7 to 10 centimeters (2.7 to 3.9 inches) long. When the cones are young, they are green. As they get older, they turn a pale brown color. When they are fully grown, they open up. This lets their scales and winged seeds fall out. The wings on the seeds help them to fly away in the wind. This helps new cedar trees to grow in different places.
See also
In Spanish: Cedro de Chipre para niños
