Coast whitethorn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coast whitethorn |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ceanothus
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| Species: |
incanus
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Ceanothus incanus, often called the coast whitethorn, is a type of shrub that belongs to the Rhamnaceae family. This plant is very special because it is endemic to California. This means it grows naturally only in California and nowhere else in the world!
Contents
Meet the Coast Whitethorn
The coast whitethorn is a unique plant found only in certain parts of California. It's known for its thorny branches and beautiful white flowers.
Where Does It Grow?
You can find the coast whitethorn mainly in the San Francisco Bay Area. It also grows through the North Coast Ranges. Its habitat extends into the Klamath Mountains region. This plant thrives in the natural areas of these Californian regions.
What Does It Look Like?
The coast whitethorn is a thorny shrub that can grow quite tall. It can reach a maximum height of about 4 meters (which is about 13 feet).
Branches and Leaves
The older, woody parts of the plant are usually gray. They often feel waxy and a bit hairy. The leaves stay green all year round, so they are called evergreen. They are arranged one after another along the stem. The leaves are generally oval in shape. Their edges are usually smooth, but sometimes they have tiny teeth.
Flowers and Fruits
The flowers of the coast whitethorn grow in clusters. These clusters are called inflorescences, and they look like a panicle (a branched cluster). The flowers are white and can form clusters up to about 7 centimeters (almost 3 inches) long. After the flowers, the plant produces a fruit. This fruit is a rough, lobed capsule. It's about half a centimeter long and holds three small seeds inside.
