Hagenia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hagenia |
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| Hagenia abyssinica | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Hagenia
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| Species: |
abyssinica
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The Hagenia is a special type of flowering plant. It has only one species, called Hagenia abyssinica. This tree grows naturally in the high mountains of central and eastern Africa.
You can find it in countries like Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Malawi, and Zambia. It's part of the rose family, just like the roses you might see in a garden! Its closest relative is another African mountain plant called Leucosidea.
What It's Called
This amazing tree has many names! In English, people call it the African redwood or East African rosewood. Other names include brayera, cusso, hagenia, or kousso. In Amharic, it's known as kosso. In Swahili, it's called mdobore or mlozilozi.
Description
The Hagenia abyssinica is a tall tree. It can grow up to 20 meters (about 65 feet) high. It has a short trunk and thick branches. Its bark is thick and often peels off.
The leaves are very long, up to 40 centimeters (16 inches). Each leaf is made up of 7 to 13 smaller leaflets. These leaflets are about 10 centimeters (4 inches) long. They have a finely jagged edge. The top of the leaves is green, and the underside has silvery hairs.
The flowers are beautiful. They can be white, orange-buff, or pinkish-red. They grow in large clusters called panicles. These clusters can be 30 to 60 centimeters (1 to 2 feet) long.
Where It Grows
You usually find Hagenia abyssinica in high places. It grows at elevations from 2,000 to 3,000 meters (about 6,500 to 9,800 feet). These areas get a good amount of rain each year.
It often grows in mixed mountain forests. Here, it shares space with trees like Podocarpus and Afrocarpus. It can also be found in drier mountain forests. In some places, Hagenia trees are the main type of tree. Sometimes, they grow with Juniperus procera trees. This tree is often found near the highest point where forests can grow. Above it, you might see zones of giant heather plants.
Ecology and Life Cycle
The Hagenia tree plays a role in its environment. It is a food source for some insects. For example, the larvae (young caterpillars) of the turnip moth eat its leaves. This shows how different living things depend on each other in nature.
