Frémont's mahonia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Frémont's mahonia |
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Mahonia
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fremontii
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Mahonia fremontii is a cool plant also known as Frémont's mahonia. It is a type of barberry bush. This plant grows in the mountains of the southwestern United States. It was named after John C. Frémont, a famous explorer.
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Where Frémont's Mahonia Grows
Frémont's mahonia is found in several US states. These include Arizona, Nevada, California, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. It likes to grow in mountain areas. This plant can reach up to 3 meters (about 10 feet) tall. Its leaves have many small parts called leaflets.
What Frémont's Mahonia Looks Like
Frémont's mahonia is an upright shrub that stays green all year. It can grow as tall as 4.5 meters (about 15 feet). Its leaves are several centimeters long. They are made of many small leaflets. These leaflets look like holly leaves. Each one has spiny teeth along its edge.
Leaf Colors and Flowers
When new, the leaves are a pretty purplish color. They turn green as they get older. Very old leaves become a greenish-blue. This plant has many bright yellow flowers. They usually bloom in the spring. Sometimes, they can also bloom in the fall.
Each flower has nine sepals and six petals. These parts are arranged in groups of three. The plant also grows berries. These berries can be up to 1.5 centimeters (about half an inch) wide. Their color can be yellowish, purple, or almost black.
How People Use Frémont's Mahonia
The Zuni people are a Native American tribe. They use the crushed berries from this plant. They use them to make a purple coloring. This coloring is used for their skin. They also use it for special objects in their ceremonies.
