Picconia excelsa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Picconia excelsa
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Oleaceae
Genus:	Picconia
Species:	P. excelsa
Binomial name
Picconia excelsa (Aiton) DC.
Script error: The function "autoWithCaption" does not exist.

Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".

The Picconia excelsa is a special kind of tree. It's part of a small group of trees called Picconia. This tree is endemic, which means it grows naturally only in certain places. You can find it on the Canary Islands (which are part of Spain) and on Madeira (which is part of Portugal). These islands are all in a region called Macaronesia.

What Does This Tree Look Like?

The Picconia excelsa is an evergreen plant. This means its leaves stay green all year round! It can be a shrub (a bushy plant) or a small tree. It can grow quite tall, up to 10 meters (about 33 feet) high. This is usually taller than its cousin, the Picconia azorica.

Leaves and Fruit

The leaves of the Picconia excelsa grow in pairs, one across from the other. They are usually 6 to 8 centimeters (about 2.4 to 3.1 inches) long. The edges of the leaves are smooth, without any teeth or bumps. They often curve downwards a little at the edges.

When the tree has fruit, it looks like a small, black berry. This type of fruit is called a drupe. It's usually about 1 to 2 centimeters (about 0.4 to 0.8 inches) long.

Why This Tree Needs Our Help

Sadly, the Picconia excelsa is facing a big problem. Its natural home, or habitat, is shrinking. This is called habitat loss. When trees lose their habitat, it becomes harder for them to grow and survive. Because of this, the Picconia excelsa is considered a vulnerable plant. This means it needs our help to protect its home so it can continue to thrive!

See Also

• In Spanish: Picconia excelsa para niños