Blackfruit cornel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blackfruit cornel |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
 |
|
| Natural range of Cornus sessilis |
The Cornus sessilis is a special kind of dogwood plant. People often call it the blackfruit cornel, blackfruit dogwood, or miner's dogwood. This plant is a shrub (a bushy plant) or a small tree. It is found only in northern California, which means it is endemic there. You can spot it growing along riverbanks in places like the Cascades, Sierra Nevada mountains, and the coastal mountains. It often grows under tall redwood trees in its natural home.
About the Blackfruit Dogwood
The blackfruit dogwood is a unique plant that adds beauty to the forests of California. It's known for its interesting fruit that changes color. This plant is a great example of the diverse life found in California's wild areas.
What Does It Look Like?
This dogwood can grow quite tall, sometimes reaching up to five meters (about 16 feet). It is a deciduous plant, which means its leaves fall off every year, usually in autumn.
- Leaves: The leaves are green and shaped like an oval. They have deep veins, which are like tiny lines running through them. Before they fall, these leaves turn a beautiful red color.
- Flowers: The flowers grow in a cluster, meaning many tiny flowers are grouped together. They are greenish-yellow and are surrounded by thick, pointed leaves called bracts. These bracts are often mistaken for petals.
- Fruit: The fruit is round and about one centimeter (less than half an inch) wide. When it first appears, it is white. But as it ripens, it slowly turns a shiny black color. This black fruit is a favorite snack for many birds!
Where Does It Grow?
The blackfruit dogwood loves to grow near water. You'll find it along the edges of streams and rivers in northern California. It thrives in the cool, moist environments found in the Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, and the coastal mountain ranges. Its ability to grow in the shade of giant redwood trees shows how adaptable it is to its environment.
