Birdlime tree facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Birdlime tree |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pisonia
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| Species: |
umbellifera
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The Pisonia umbellifera is a fascinating plant often called the birdlime tree or bird catcher tree. It belongs to the Nyctaginaceae family, which is a group of flowering plants. This tree is found in warm, tropical areas all around the Indo-Pacific region.
It naturally grows in many places. These include the Andaman Islands, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. You can also find it in China, Taiwan, Hawaii, and Madagascar. In Australia, it grows in New South Wales and Queensland.
There is also a special type of Pisonia umbellifera that people grow. This type has leaves with different colors, like green and white or yellow. It is called a variegated form. People often plant it in places where the weather stays warm and there is no frost.
About the Birdlime Tree
The Pisonia umbellifera is known for its sticky sap. This sap is very thick and glue-like. In some places, people traditionally used this sap to catch birds. They would put the sap on branches, and birds would get stuck when they landed. This is how the tree got its common names, "birdlime tree" and "bird catcher tree."
What it Looks Like
This tree can grow quite tall. Its leaves are usually large and shiny. The flowers are not very showy, but they grow in clusters. After the flowers, the tree produces fruits. These fruits are also quite sticky, just like the sap from the tree.
Where it Grows Naturally
The Pisonia umbellifera loves warm, tropical climates. It grows well in coastal areas and lowland forests. Because it is found across such a wide area, from Africa to Asia and the Pacific islands, it shows how adaptable this plant can be to different environments.
Images for kids
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Flowers
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Buds and flowers
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The leaves and stalk
