Saffron plum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saffron plum |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Sideroxylon
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| Species: |
celastrinum
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| Natural range of Sideroxylon celastrinum | |
The Saffron Plum, also known as Coma, is a fascinating plant that grows as a spiny bush or a small tree. It's a type of flowering plant and belongs to a plant family called Sapotaceae. This plant is native to warm places like Texas and Florida in the United States. You can also find it further south through Central America all the way to northern Venezuela and Colombia in South America.
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What is the Saffron Plum?
The Saffron Plum, scientifically named Sideroxylon celastrinum, is a unique plant. It's known for its sharp spines, which help protect it. This plant can grow to be about 2 to 9 meters (around 6 to 30 feet) tall. That's like a small house!
Where Does Saffron Plum Grow?
This plant loves warm climates. Its natural home stretches across a wide area. You can find it in the southern parts of the United States, including Texas and Florida. From there, its range extends south through many countries in Central America. It even grows in parts of northern South America, specifically in Venezuela and Colombia.
What Does Saffron Plum Look Like?
The Saffron Plum has dark green leaves that can be shaped like a spoon or wider at the top. They grow either one after another along the stem or in small bunches. From May to November, the plant produces small, greenish-white flowers. After the flowers, you'll see small, blue-black fruits. These fruits are called drupes and each one holds a single seed inside.
How is Saffron Plum Used?
One of the most interesting things about the Saffron Plum is that it's a favorite food for deer. Deer love to munch on its leaves and branches. This makes it an important plant in the diet of deer in the areas where it grows.
