Birchleaf buckthorn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Birchleaf buckthorn |
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| Frangula betulifolia subsp. obovata | |
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Frangula
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| Species: |
betulifolia
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The birchleaf buckthorn (scientific name: Frangula betulifolia) is a type of shrub or small tree. It belongs to the buckthorn family, which is called Rhamnaceae.
You can find this plant growing naturally in the northern parts of Mexico. It lives in the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range, which is a long chain of mountains. It also grows in the mountainous and desert areas of the Southwestern United States. This includes states like Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and the far western part of Texas. In Mexico, it is found in states such as Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango, and Nuevo León.
The birchleaf buckthorn has large, egg-shaped leaves. It can grow to be a small tree, usually between 3 to 10 meters (about 10 to 33 feet) tall. Its flowers bloom in spring, from May to June. After the flowers, black-purple fruits appear in the fall. Long ago, Native Americans would chew the inner bark of this plant for its medicinal properties.
Where It Grows
The main area where the birchleaf buckthorn grows is the northern part of the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range. This stretches from central Durango, north to western Chihuahua, and eastern Sonora. It also grows a bit further north, near the borders of Arizona, New Mexico, Sonora, and Chihuahua. This special area is known as the Madrean Sky Islands. These "sky islands" are tall, isolated mountain ranges that rise up from the surrounding desert.
Other places where you can find this plant include central and southwestern New Mexico. It also grows in the Grand Canyon area of the Colorado River, and its range extends upriver into the Canyon Lands of southeastern Utah. You can also find it in western Texas and southern Nuevo León. Smaller groups of these plants are found in Nevada, Coahuila, and Tamaulipas.
How It Is Used
Many different animals enjoy the birchleaf buckthorn. Various songbirds and small mammals eat its berries. While the berries are safe to eat, they don't taste very good to humans. Deer and bighorn sheep also like to munch on the leaves of the plant.
Images for kids
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Leaf w/Flowers
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Leaf bottom
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Close-up, Flower cluster
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Buds, flowers, leaves
See also
In Spanish: Rhamnus betulaefolia para niños
