Redshanks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Redshanks |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Adenostoma
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| Species: |
sparsifolium
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Adenostoma sparsifolium, often called redshanks, is a unique plant. It can grow as a small tree or a bush. You can find it in dry areas of Southern California and northern Baja California. People sometimes call it ribbonwood because of its bark.
What Redshanks Look Like
Redshanks gets its common name from its bark. The bark peels off in long, shaggy strips. These strips look like ribbons or "shanks." This is why it is sometimes called "ribbonwood" or "ribbon bush."
Its scientific name, Adenostoma sparsifolium, tells us about its leaves. "Sparsi" means sparse, and "folium" means leaf. So, it has tiny, thin leaves that are not very dense on the branches.
This plant is closely related to another common plant called Chamise. Chamise is found in many of the same areas.
Where Redshanks Live
Redshanks grows in dry, shrubby areas called chaparral. It prefers higher places, often just above or below where snow falls. You can find it in mountain ranges like the Peninsular Ranges.
It grows best on slopes that face north. These slopes are often cooler and get less direct sunlight. Redshanks usually grows at an elevation of about 4,000 feet (1,200 meters).
Plant Neighbors
Redshanks grows alongside other plants. At lower elevations, you might see it with California Scrub Oak and Hoary Ceanothus. Higher up, it often grows near manzanitas.
Surviving Wildfires
Like its relative, chamise, redshanks is very good at surviving wildfires. After a fire, it can grow new shoots from its roots. This ability helps it come back strong in areas prone to fires.
