Karpatiosorbus devoniensis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Karpatiosorbus devoniensis |
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| Devon whitebeam, leaves and young fruit | |
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Karpatiosorbus
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| Species: |
devoniensis
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The Devon whitebeam (scientific name: Karpatiosorbus devoniensis) is a special type of tree. People in some areas also call it 'otmast'. It belongs to the Rosaceae family, which includes roses and apple trees!
This tree is a whitebeam species. It is endemic to the British Isles. This means it grows naturally only in certain parts of the UK and Ireland. You can find it wild in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, and some areas of Ireland.
The Devon whitebeam is quite old, but it didn't exist before the last ice age. Scientists believe it grew from a mix of two other trees. These were the wild service tree and another type of whitebeam. It's also a close relative of the No Parking whitebeam. These two trees can even create new hybrid trees together!
Contents
What Does the Devon Whitebeam Look Like?
The Devon whitebeam is a deciduous tree. This means it loses its leaves in autumn. It can grow to be about 12 metres tall, which is like a four-story building!
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of this tree are very interesting. They are dark green on top. But underneath, they have a thick layer of soft, white hairs. This gives them a unique look.
The tree's flowers bloom in late May. They are white and have five petals, just like many other flowers in the rose family.
Fruit and Life Cycle
The fruits of the Devon whitebeam ripen around the end of October. They are a pretty orange-brown colour. The best part is, they are safe to eat!
Where Can You Find Devon Whitebeam Trees?
These special trees are quite rare. They only grow in specific locations. Here are some places where you might find them:
- Along the River Taw and River Torridge in Devon.
- At Roborough Down, near Plymouth.
- In Little Haldon, close to Bishopsteignton.
- In Boyton, Cornwall.
- In some rare spots in South East and North East Ireland.
- At Halsdon Nature Reserve, near Great Torrington. The Devon Wildlife Trust looks after one tree there.
- Uppacott Wood Nature Reserve, between Barnstaple and Bideford. This reserve, also managed by the Devon Wildlife Trust, has many Devon whitebeam trees.
- Near Leigh Cross in Zeal Monachorum.
- At Watergate, Horwood.
- You can even find one in the Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle, USA!
Images for kids
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Sorbus devoniensis fruit
