Prunus versteeghii facts for kids

The Prunus versteeghii is a special kind of tree. It belongs to the same family as cherry and plum trees, which is called Prunus. This tree grows naturally on the big island of New Guinea, which is in the Pacific Ocean.

Discovering the Prunus versteeghii Tree

This amazing tree can grow very tall, reaching up to 25 meters (about 82 feet) high! That's like a seven-story building. It has bark that smells quite strong. The bark is usually grey, but sometimes it can be brown.

What Does It Look Like?

The Prunus versteeghii has interesting leaves. They are shaped like an oval, usually about 10 to 15 centimeters (4 to 6 inches) long and 4 to 8 centimeters (1.5 to 3 inches) wide. The leaves have a rounded or pointed base and a sharp tip. You might also notice two small, flat bumps, called glands, at the base of each leaf.

Tiny Flowers

The flowers of this tree grow in clusters. Each flower has very tiny, triangular, and hairy sepals, which are like small leaf-like parts at the base of the flower. These are only about 1 millimeter long! The petals are also very small, about 1 millimeter long, and are shaped like an oval or a wider oval. They are also hairy. Each flower has many stamens, which are the parts that make pollen. There are usually 35 to 45 stamens in each flower.

Fruits of the Tree

When the fruits of the Prunus versteeghii are ready to eat, they turn a purplish-black color. They have a thick, fleshy part around the seed. The hard inner part of the fruit, which protects the seed, is smooth inside. The seeds themselves also have a smooth outer coating.