Prunus himalaica facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prunus himalaica |
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Prunus himalaica is a type of cherry tree that grows naturally in Nepal. People also plant it in other places because its bark is very pretty. It has a shiny, reddish-brown color, like mahogany wood. This tree likes to grow high up in the Himalayas, usually around 3,900 meters (about 12,800 feet) above sea level.
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What the Himalayan Cherry Looks Like
The Prunus himalaica is a small tree or a large bush. It can grow up to 5.5 meters (about 18 feet) tall. It is a deciduous tree, which means it loses its leaves in the fall.
Its Bark and Branches
The bark of this tree is smooth and shiny brown. It has clear horizontal marks called lenticels. These are like small pores that help the tree breathe. Its bark looks a bit like the Tibetan cherry, Prunus serrula, but it's a darker brown. Younger branches of the tree are more purple. They have a soft, brownish-red fuzz on them.
Its Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of the Prunus himalaica are about 4 to 5 centimeters (1.6 to 2 inches) wide and 6 to 8 centimeters (2.4 to 3.1 inches) long. They are shaped like an oval. The top side of the leaves is bright green with tiny hairs. The underside is pale green and has many brown hairs, especially on the veins. The edges of the leaves have small, double-sawtooth shapes. The leaves have pointed tips and rounded bases. They grow on a short, fuzzy stem about 1 centimeter (0.4 inches) long.
The flowers of Prunus himalaica grow in small clusters called umbels. Each cluster has one or two flowers. These flowers hang from fuzzy stalks that are about 3.5 to 4.5 centimeters (1.4 to 1.8 inches) long. The petals are a light pink color. Each flower has about 45 stamens, which are the parts that produce pollen.
Why People Plant It
People love to plant Prunus himalaica as an ornamental tree. This means they grow it just for its beauty, especially its unique bark. All the Prunus himalaica trees grown outside of Nepal today came from one single tree. This original tree was found in the Langtang Valley in Nepal in 1965 by a person named Tony Schilling.
