Prunus rufa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prunus rufa |
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The Himalayan cherry, also known as Prunus rufa, is a special type of cherry tree. It naturally grows in places like Nepal and Myanmar. People also plant this tree in other parts of the world because its shiny brown bark is very beautiful. You can find it growing high up in the Himalayas, sometimes as high as 3,925 meters (about 12,877 feet) above sea level!
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What Does the Himalayan Cherry Look Like?
The Prunus rufa is a small tree that loses its leaves every year. It usually grows to be about 4.5 to 6 meters (15 to 20 feet) tall.
Its Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of this cherry tree are about 2.8 to 5 centimeters long. The small tubes that hold its flowers, called calyx tubes, are about 11 to 15 millimeters long.
Its Unique Bark
One of the most interesting things about the Himalayan cherry is its bark. It's very smooth and has a shiny brown color. You can see small, horizontal marks on the bark called lenticels. These are like tiny pores that help the tree breathe.
The bark of the Himalayan cherry looks a bit like the coppery-red bark of another tree called the Tibetan cherry (Prunus serrula). It's also similar to, but lighter than, the dark brown bark of the Prunus himalaica tree.
Where Does It Grow?
This cherry tree is native to the high mountain regions of Nepal and Myanmar. It thrives in the cool, elevated areas of the Himalayas.
Why Is It Special?
People love to plant the Himalayan cherry as an ornamental tree. This means it's grown mostly for its beauty, especially its eye-catching shiny bark. It adds a lovely touch to gardens and parks.
Some scientists think Prunus rufa is closely related to other cherry species found in the Himalayas. These include P. topkegolensis, P. harae, P. taplejungnica, and P. singalilaensis.
