Spice bush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spice bush |
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| The flowers do not have distinct sepals and petals. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Calycanthus
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| Species: |
occidentalis
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The spice bush, also known as the western sweetshrub, is a beautiful flowering plant. Its scientific name is Calycanthus occidentalis. This plant is a type of shrub that grows naturally in California and sometimes in Washington state. You can often find it growing near streams and in damp, rocky areas in the mountains.
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About the Spice Bush
The spice bush is a deciduous shrub. This means it loses its leaves every autumn. It can grow quite tall, up to about 4 meters (13 feet).
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of the spice bush grow in pairs, one on each side of the stem. They are usually between 5 to 15 centimeters (2 to 6 inches) long and 2 to 8 centimeters (1 to 3 inches) wide. They have a shape that is a bit like an egg, with a pointed tip and a rounded bottom.
The flowers of the spice bush are very interesting! They start to appear in late spring and can last until early autumn. Unlike many flowers, they don't have separate sepals and petals. Instead, they have special petal-like parts called tepals. These tepals are dark red to burgundy in color and are arranged in swirls. Each tepal can be 2 to 6 centimeters (1 to 2 inches) long. When the flowers are fully open, they can be about 5 centimeters (2 inches) wide.
Inside the flowers, surrounded by the tepals, are about 10 to 15 stamens. These are the parts of the flower that produce pollen.
How Flowers are Pollinated
The spice bush flowers are pollinated by small insects called beetles. Specifically, beetles from the family Nitidulidae help the plant make seeds. These beetles carry pollen from one flower to another, which is how the plant reproduces.
Where the Spice Bush Grows
The spice bush is native to California. Some people also say it grows naturally in Washington state. It likes to grow near streams and on moist slopes in canyons. You can find it at different heights, from about 200 meters (650 feet) up to 1,600 meters (5,250 feet) above sea level.
