Alachua bully facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alachua bully |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Sideroxylon
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| Species: |
alachuense
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| Synonyms | |
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The Sideroxylon alachuense, also known as the Alachua bully, silver bully, or silvery buckthorn, is a unique plant. It is a type of tree that grows naturally in the southeastern United States. You can find it in the states of Georgia and Florida. This tree prefers to grow in forested areas. It is often found on small raised land areas called hummocks. It also grows near places where the ground has sunk, like lime sinks, or old shell mounds. These trees usually live in areas less than 200 meters (about 650 feet) above sea level.
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About the Alachua Bully Tree
The Alachua bully is a deciduous tree. This means it loses its leaves every year, usually in the fall or winter. It can grow quite tall, reaching up to 10 meters (about 33 feet) high.
Tree Features
The stems of this tree have thorns, which can be sharp. However, the stems themselves are glabrous, meaning they are smooth and do not have any hairs.
Leaves, Flowers, and Berries
The leaves of the Alachua bully are special. They can be up to 70 millimeters (about 2.8 inches) long. The top side of the leaf is shiny, while the bottom side is a dark green color.
The tree produces small, white flowers. These flowers grow in groups, with up to 20 flowers in each bundle. After the flowers bloom, they turn into berries. These berries are black and can be up to 13 millimeters (about 0.5 inches) across.
Where the Name Comes From
The name Sideroxylon alachuense comes from the place where the first example of this plant was found. This first plant, called a type specimen, was collected at the Alachua Sink. The Alachua Sink is located inside Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park in Alachua County, Florida.
