English Peak greenbriar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids English Peak greenbriar |
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|---|---|
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| herbarium specimen | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Smilax
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| Species: |
jamesii
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Smilax jamesii is a type of flowering plant often called the English Peak greenbriar. It belongs to the greenbriar family. This plant is found in northern California, especially in the Klamath Mountains and the southern parts of the Cascade Range. It has also been seen in nearby areas of southwestern Oregon.
About the English Peak Greenbriar
This plant likes wet places. You can often find it near lakesides and streambanks. It grows in mountain forests filled with cone-bearing trees. Scientists discovered it was a new species when they looked closely at old plant samples. These samples were once thought to be a different plant, Smilax californica.
What Does it Look Like?
The English Peak greenbriar is a perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years. It grows from underground stems called rhizomes. It forms a vine that can climb and branch out. It can reach lengths of 2 to 3 meters, which is about 6 to 10 feet.
The leaves are dark green. They can be up to 8 centimeters (about 3 inches) long and 7 centimeters (about 2.7 inches) wide. Their shape can be like a triangle or a pointed oval. The plant also has many tendrils. These are thin, curly parts that help the vine climb.
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers of Smilax jamesii grow in clusters. These clusters are shaped like an umbel, which is like an umbrella. They bloom from where the leaves meet the stem.
Male flower clusters can have up to 20 flowers. Female flower clusters are usually larger and can have up to 40 flowers. Both male and female flowers have similar petals. However, the female flower has a round ovary in its center. This is where the seeds will form.
After the flowers, the plant produces fruit. The fruit is a blue berry. It is just under a centimeter (about 0.4 inches) wide. As the berry dries, it changes color to a deep red, like maroon.
