FLOWERING TREES

Japanese Apricot / Prunus mume

2010-02-19T01:30:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT 20–33 ft (6–10 m)
TYPE Deciduous
OCCURRENCE China, Japan

Cultivated for over 1,500 years for its variously colored blossoms, this Japanese apricot has more than 300 cultivars. It has a rounded crown. BARK Gray to greenish. LEAF Alternate, ovate, hairy, sharply toothed margins. FLOWER Large, white to pink to red, and fragrant; borne singly or in pairs on old wood. FRUIT Spherical to ovoid drupe, fleshy, yellow, barely edible.

Plum / Prunus x domestica

2010-02-16T01:19:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 33 ft (10 m)
TYPE Deciduous
OCCURRENCE Garden origin

Many cultivars of this tree are grown for its culinary plum. Its crown is broad and spreading. BARK Gray-brown, fissured with age. LEAF Alternate, elliptic to obovate, toothed margins. FLOWER In clusters on short shoots, five white petals. FRUIT Ovoid drupe, yellow, red, or purple, sweet or sharp taste.

Coco Plum / Chrysobalanus icaco

2010-02-07T00:54:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 20 ft (6 m)
TYPE Evergreen
OCCURRENCE US (S. Florida) to N. South America, Africa

Usually shrubby, the coco plum grows in tropical coastal areas and is useful for stabilizing dunes and soil. BARK Graybrown, with lenticels. LEAF Alternate, leathery, shiny dark green above, paler beneath, short-stalked. FLOWER Several, in cymes at ends of branches, with 4–5 white petals. FRUIT White to purple, plumlike drupe, with spongy, whitish, edible flesh.

Princess Flower / Tibouchina urvilleana

2010-02-05T00:52:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 16 ft (5 m)
TYPE Evergreen
OCCURRENCE Brazil

Widely cultivated in warm regions for its showy flowers that bloom for most of the year and its velvety foliage, this tree is a popular ornamental. BARK Pale brown, thin. LEAF Opposite, lanceolate-ovate, dark green, often with red edges, and 3–5 prominent veins. FLOWER Purple blossoms, 5 in (12.5 cm) wide, with hooked stamens, held in terminal panicles above foliage. FRUIT Dry, hard brown capsule.

Malaysian Apple / Syzygium malaccense

2010-02-03T00:50:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 60 ft (18 m)
TYPE Evergreen
OCCURRENCE S.E. Asia, Pacific Islands

This tropical tree is grown for its edible fruit, yielding more than 200 lb (100 kg) per tree. BARK Gray, smooth, and mottled. LEAF Opposite, leathery, dark green, soft. FLOWER Fragrant, in clusters of 2–8, with a funnel-like base, topped by five thick green sepals and four (usually pink to dark-red) petals; many stamens. FRUIT Pearshaped, deep red, white, or pink berry.

Jambolan / Syzygium cumini

2010-02-01T00:30:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 100 ft (30 m)
TYPE Evergreen
OCCURRENCE Indonesia, India

The jambolan is a tropical and subtropical tree. Juice is extracted from its fruit, which is eaten both raw and cooked. In the Philippines and Suriname, it is used to make vinegar and liquor. All parts of the tree are used in traditional medicine. BARK Gray, smooth; the base is rough and flaking. LEAF Opposite, oblong; pink when young, dark green when mature. FLOWER Rose pink to white, in branched, fragrant clusters at stem tips; 4–5 fused petals, many stamens. FRUIT Purple-black, oval berry, up to 2 in (5 cm) long, whitish, juicy pulp with one seed.

Durian / Durio zibethinus

2010-01-25T00:56:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT 100–130 ft (30–40 m)
TYPE Evergreen
OCCURRENCE Sumatra, Borneo, cultivated elsewhere in S.E. Asia

The durian is famous—or notorious — for its fruits: though a delicacy, they are banned in hotels and on public transit because of their overpowering smell. BARK Gray to reddish brown, flaking irregularly. LEAF Alternate, smooth above, covered with hairs and silvery scales beneath. FLOWER In axillary clusters, with five yellowish white petals and five pale golden sepals. FRUIT Green to yellow, spherical capsule; seeds covered with creamy sweet flesh.

Floss Silk Tree / Ceiba speciosa

2010-01-23T00:54:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT 50–75 ft (15–22 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE South America (Brazil, N.E. Argentina), planted elsewhere in the tropics

Locally cultivated in South America before the arrival of the Europeans, this tree is characterized by a spiny, swollen trunk that can store water, and its green avocado-like fruit, which releases cottonlike fibers when ripe. This tree is often planted in the southern US as a street tree for its display of spectacular deep pink flowers. BARK Yellowish green, spiny, particularly when young. LEAF Alternate, digitate, with 5–7 narrowly elliptic leaflets. FLOWER Deep pink, 23⁄4–41⁄4 in (7–11 cm) long, with a streaked white to yellow base and oblong to spoon-shaped petals. FRUIT Large, woody, pear-shaped capsule; seeds in a mass of silky hairs.

Simul / Bombax ceiba

2010-01-21T00:51:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 80 ft (25 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE Sri Lanka, China, Malaysia, Australia

Often planted as a street tree, the simul is a blaze of color when in flower. BARK Grayish white. LEAF Alternate, palmate; 5–7 oblong-lanceolate, smooth leaflets. FLOWER Solitary, terminal, large, brilliant scarlet, with numerous stamens. FRUIT Woody capsule; seeds surrounded by fluffy hairs.

Tallowwood / Eucalyptus microcorys

2010-01-17T00:48:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 180 ft (55 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE Australia (New South Wales, Queensland)

The tallowwood’s low-branching habit and dense, spreading crown make it an effective windbreak. It is found in wet forests or rainforest margins, usually on slopes. This tall tree has strong, durable timber that takes a good polish. It is also used as an ornamental, for hedging, and as a shade tree. Koalas depend on it for food and shelter. BARK Soft, flaky, fibrous, brown to yellow-brown, with surface pores. LEAF Alternate, lanceolate, glossy dark green, stalked. FLOWER Small, creamy white, arranged in umbels in groups of five; hermaphroditic (has both male and female organs), pollinated by bees. FRUIT Narrow, funnel-shaped capsule.

Snowgum / Eucalyptus pauciflora

2010-01-15T00:46:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 100 ft (30 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE S.E. Australia

Long-lived and slow-growing, this tree has a crooked trunk and twisted branches. BARK Smooth, green, gray, or cream, sheds in ribbons. LEAF Adults: thick, glossy and waxy, linear-lanceolate; juveniles: more oval, dull gray-green. FLOWER White, scented, borne in clusters of 11 or more in leaf axils. FRUIT Semi-spherical or conical capsule.

Blackbutt / Eucalyptus pilularis

2010-01-13T00:44:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 230 ft (70 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE New South Wales and Queensland (coastal plains)

This important commercial tree grows well in coppices, provides good fuel, and is also a source of food for the koala, insects, and other animals. BARK Rough, fibrous, shedding in strips. LEAF Dark green, narrowly lanceolate, curved. FLOWER White, small, in axillary clusters of 7–15. FRUIT Woody capsule.

Kamarere

2010-01-11T00:41:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 225 ft (67 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE Papua New Guinea

Also known as the rainbow gum, the kamarere tree is notable for its beautiful multicolored bark. Its timber is used for pulp. BARK Shades of green, brown, and gray, prickly, peeling. LEAF Lanceolate, untoothed, darker green above, paler green beneath. FLOWER Creamy white, in numerous axillary umbels of 7–11. FRUIT Round, dry capsule.

Saxaul / Haloxylon persicum

2010-01-09T00:37:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 22 ft (7 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE W. Asia (Russia to Iran to China)

Found in the desert, the saxaul has a large root system that helps to stabilize sand. Its heavy, durable wood is used in carpentry and is highly valued as fuel. BARK Gray-white. LEAF Triangular, scalelike, pressed to stem, with straw-colored cusp at tip. FLOWER Pale yellow, solitary, 5⁄32–7⁄32 in (4–7 mm) long; males and females on the same plant, in scalelike bracts on dwarf side spurs of previous year’s branches. FRUIT Round, winged nut, 1⁄8 in (2.5 mm) wide.

Papala / Charpentiera densiflora

2010-01-07T00:35:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 40 ft (12 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE Hawaii (Kauri)

Moist forests located in valleys and gulches are the native habitat of this tree. It is an endangered species; fewer than 400 mature trees exist. BARK Smooth, grayish brown. LEAF Elliptic to oval, leathery, 5–16 in (13–40 cm) long. FLOWER Numerous, borne in panicles 9–19 in (22–48 cm) long. FRUIT Not described.

Long Jack

2010-01-05T00:33:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 16 ft (5 m)
TYPE Evergreen
OCCURRENCE South America

This tree dominates forests in Surinam and old plantations in east Guyana. It is fairly invasive. BARK Pale gray. LEAF Dark green and glossy, 4–9 in (10–22 cm) long, 11⁄2–21⁄4 in (4–6 cm) wide, pointed at the tip, with a prominent midvein, many pairs of side veins, and untoothed margin. FLOWER Males and females borne on separate spikes, each 21⁄4–4 in (6–10 cm) long. Males: tiny, cream; females: with three enlarged red-purple sepals that are about 11⁄4 in (3 cm) long and 3⁄16 in (5 mm) wide. FRUIT Dry nut, 3⁄8 in (1 cm) long.

Sweet Cherry / Prunus avium

2009-12-31T05:25:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 80 ft (25 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE Europe, W. Asia, North America

Also known as wild cherry, sweet cherry wood has been used for veneer, and also for furniture-making, particularly in France. The roots of this tree can cause problems for nearby buildings. The double-flowered cultivar ‘Plena’ is a popular ornamental tree. BARK Redbrown, peeling in horizontal bands. LEAF Alternate, elliptic to oblong or obovate, dull green above, covered with soft hairs below. FLOWER Large, white, borne in clusters on short shoots before the leaves emerge. FRUIT Spherical, bitter or sweet, edible red drupe.

Turkish Crab Apple / Malus trilobata

2009-12-28T05:21:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 50 ft (15 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE S.W. Asia, N.E. Greece

This narrowly conical tree grows in evergreen thickets in Asia and Greece. The flowers bloom in early summer. BARK Gray-brown, cracking into numerous small, square plates. LEAF Alternate, long-stalked, deeply cut into three lobes, smooth above, hairy beneath; glossy dark green turning yellow, red, and purple in fall. FLOWER White, cupshaped, with five petals and yellow anthers, appearing from woolly buds, borne in small clusters at the end of shoots. FRUIT Small, hard, green or red-green pome, up to 11⁄4 in (3 cm) wide.

Wild Apple / Malus sylvestris

2009-12-25T05:17:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT 25–40 ft (8–12 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE Caucasus, N. Iran

This tree is an ancestor of most cultivated apples and is used as graft stock for many commercial varieties. It is found in hedgerows and at woodland edges. BARK Gray-brown to purple-brown, peeling in rectangular flakes. LEAF Alternate, elliptic to obovate, with toothed margins and a rounded leaf base. FLOWER Large, in clusters on short shoots. FRUIT Spherical, green to yellowish red pome.

Singleseed Hawthorn / Crataegus monogyna

2009-12-21T05:15:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 33 ft (10 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE Europe, N. Africa, W. Asia

This small tree has spiny branches; old trees often have fluted trunks. An herbal medicine for circulatory problems is extracted from its fruit and leaves. BARK Dark orange-brown or pink-brown; cracking into rectangles. LEAF Alternate, smooth, deeply cut into 3–7 lobes, glossy dark green above, paler beneath. FLOWER White, fragrant, in dense clusters on shoots. FRUIT Oval red pome, with one seed.

Quince / Cydonia oblonga

2009-12-18T04:57:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 25 ft (8 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE Caucasus, N. Iran, South America, Mediterranean region

The fruit of this small tree is an important crop in South America and the Mediterranean. BARK Purplish gray-brown, flaking to orange-brown. LEAF Alternate, ovate to oblong, with untoothed margins. FLOWER Terminal, solitary, large with five whitish to pink petals. FRUIT Large, fragrant, pear-shaped pome, downy when young, yellow when ripe.

Loquat / Eriobotrya japonica

2009-12-12T01:11:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 20 ft (6 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE China, Japan, India, Australia, South America, California, Mediterranean, South Africa

In the unusual flowering cycle of this tree, the flowers bloom with the onset of winter and the edible fruit ripens by spring. It has a dense, rounded, glossy dark green canopy. BARK Dark gray, smooth, and flaking. LEAF Alternate, smooth above, hairy beneath, toothed margins. FLOWER Large, white, fragrant, in terminal racemes. FRUIT Pearshaped to oval pome.

Tamarind / Tamarindus indica

2009-12-10T01:10:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 80 ft (25 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE E. Africa, India, widely cultivated in other tropical countries

This tree has a short trunk, drooping branches, and a rounded crown. The edible sweet and sour pulp in its pods is an important ingredient in many chutneys and sauces. BARK White-gray, rough, with irregular scales. LEAF Alternate, pinnate, without a terminal leaflet; 10–20 pairs of ellipticoblong, usually smooth leaflets. FLOWER Red in bud opening yellow to cream, in racemes at the sides and ends of shoots. FRUIT Pod, with a dry outer shell, pulpy inside.

Pagoda Tree / Sophora japonica

2009-12-08T01:07:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 80 ft (25 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE China, Korea

As the name suggests, the pagoda tree was frequently planted in temple gardens. It is of historical significance as an agroforestry tree recorded as far back as the 6th century. It was introduced into western horticulture in 1753 and is now planted on streets and in parks. BARK Graybrown, prominently ridged and fissured. LEAF Alternate, pinnate, with a terminal leaflet, dark green above, blue-green beneath, softly hairy. FLOWER White, pealike, fragrant, in loose, hanging panicles at ends of shoots. FRUIT Pod, highly constricted between the seeds and resembling a string of beads.

Japanese Larch / Larix kaempferi

2009-12-05T23:56:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 115 ft (35 m)
TYPE Deciduous
OCCURRENCE Jap

Also known as the money pine, this tree is used in Japan for bonsai. It is a popular species for timber because it grows faster than other larches and is more disease-resistant. BARK Red-brown, cracking with age. LEAF Flat, soft needles with blunt or short-pointed tips, bluegreen with two gray-white bands on underside, mostly in rosettes of 30–40. FLOWER In clusters. Males yellow; females green-yellow. FRUIT Small brown cones, with hidden bracts.

European Larch / Larix decidua

2009-12-04T13:51:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 125 ft (38 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE C. Europe

European larch is one of the first trees to burst into leaf in spring. Its timber is strong and durable. BARK Gray-brown, cracking with age. LEAF Flat, soft needles, blunt or short-pointed tips, bright green. FLOWER Males yellow; females pink-red. FRUIT Brown, egg-shaped cones, with smooth scales and visible bracts.

Atlas Cedar / Cedrus atlantica

2009-12-03T23:48:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 200 ft (60 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE North Africa

The Atlas cedar has a stout trunk and its branches are angled upward. The blue form, Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca’, has bluewhite needles and is planted as an ornamental in parks. BARK Silver-gray, becoming grooved with age. LEAF Green or blue-green needles, 3⁄8–11⁄4 in (1–3 cm) long, arranged in tufts. FLOWER Males: pinkish; females: bright green. FRUIT Egg-shaped cones, 2–31⁄4 in (5–8 cm) long, with hollowed tips.

Noble Fir / Abies procera

2009-12-02T13:32:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 165 ft (50 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE W. North America

Tolerant of wind, snow, and poor soil, this tree has light but strong timber, which is used for interiors. BARK Silvergray, smooth, cracking on older trees. LEAF Flat needles with rounded tips, bluegreen on both sides. FLOWER Males: deep red, beneath shoot; females: yellow, above shoot. FRUIT Erect, barrel-shaped cone, 43⁄4–10 in (12–25 cm) long.

Nordmann Fir / Abies nordmanniana

2009-12-01T23:28:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 150 ft (46 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE N.E. Turkey, W. Caucasus

This popular Christmas tree, also known as the Caucasian fir, has thick foliage and a conical shape. BARK Gray, smooth, but developing fissures with age. LEAF Flat, notched needles, shiny dark green above, two silver lines beneath. FLOWER In separate clusters. Males: red; females: yellow-green. FRUIT Erect, greenish brown cone.

Korean Fir / Abies koreana

2009-11-30T00:33:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT 30–60 ft (9–18 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE Korea

This fir is shrubby or broadly pyramidal. BARK Purple-gray, smooth, with resin blisters, furrowed in plates. LEAF Narrow, notched needles, in dense spirals, 1⁄2–2 in (1.5–5 cm) long, green above, underside keeled with blue-green lines. FLOWER Males: broad, oval, red to yellow or green, tinted with violet-brown; females: rounded, blue-gray. FRUIT Cone, ripens to dark violet; red-brown bracts.

Grand Fir / Abies grandis

2009-11-29T00:31:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 240 ft (75 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE W. North America

Also called the white fir, this tree thrives in moist areas. BARK Gray-green, smooth with resin blisters. LEAF Flat needles, on either side of shoot, 3⁄4–21⁄4 in (2–6 cm) long, dark green above with two silver bands below. FLOWER Males: small and purple, beneath shoots; females: green. FRUIT Erect, resinous, cylindrical brown cone, 2–43⁄4 in (5–12 cm) long.

Silver Fir / Abies alba

2009-11-28T00:31:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 150 ft (46 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE C. Europe

The branches at the top of this tree often divide, giving it a “stork’s nest” appearance. Its resin is a constituent of turpentine. BARK Gray, smooth, cracking with age. LEAF Flat needles, dark green above with two silver bands below. FLOWER Males: yellow, grouped on undersides of shoots; females: green. FRUIT Erect, cylindrical brown cone.

False Sago / Cycas circinalis

2009-11-27T23:31:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 16 ft (5 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE India (Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra)

The false sago (not to be confused with the sago palm) occurs in dense, dry, scrubby woodland in hilly areas and sheds its foliage in extremely dry seasons. It is valued for its beauty and is widely planted as an ornamental. Its trunk contains an edible, starchy material. BARK Brown, covered in old leaf bases. LEAF Pinnate, glossy bright green, 5–8 ft (1.5–2.5 m) long, with 170 opposite leaflets, flat, on hairy stalks. FLOWER Males: narrowly ovoid, orange pollen cones, covered in matted woolly hairs; females: cones arranged in a ring around the shoot tips. FRUIT Yellow, nearly round seeds that can float.

Annatto / Bixa orellana

2009-11-26T00:27:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT 10–33 ft (3–10 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE Tropical South America, S.E. Asia

Historically used for making body paint and fabric dye, this bushy tree is now used mainly as a food colorant for dairy products. BARK Pale to dark brown, later fissured. LEAF Alternate, in spirals, ovate, with a heartshaped to blunt base. FLOWER Large terminal panicles, 5–7 obovate petals, usually pinkish. FRUIT Flattened, ellipsoidal capsule, with bristles, bright red when mature.

Silk Cotton Tree / Cochlospermum religiosum

2009-11-25T00:29:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 33 ft (10 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE India, Myanmar, Thailand

Mostly found in dry monsoon areas, this small tree is also known as the buttercup tree. It is cultivated within its region for its abundant single yellow flowers, but it is uncommon outside its natural habitat. BARK Creamy gray and smooth. LEAF Alternate, palmate, with 3–5 divided lobes, softly hairy below, wavy margins. FLOWER Large, borne in terminal inflorescences on bare branches, with numerous stamens. FRUIT Large open capsule, with woolly seeds.

Flame Tree / Brachychiton acerifolius

2009-11-24T00:00:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT 115 ft (35 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE E. Australia

Considered one of the most spectacular trees of Australia, this tree has bright coral-red flowers. BARK Gray, fissured or wrinkled. LEAF Alternate or whorled, ovate to lanceolate, sometimes with 3–5 lobes, especially in juvenile foliage. FLOWER Petalless, in large terminal panicles on leafless branches. FRUIT Dry, boat-shaped, woody follicle.

Boab / Adansonia gregorii

2009-11-23T23:59:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT 16–50 ft (5–15 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE N.E. Australia (Kimberley region)

The short trunk of this tree is enlarged and bottle-shaped, enabling it to store water. BARK Grayish brown, smooth. LEAF Alternate, with 3–7 elliptic to ovate or obovate leaflets. FLOWER Axillary, solitary, large, with oblong to spoonshaped petals, white to cream, numerous stamens. FRUIT Brown capsule, velvety hairy surface, with kidney-shaped seeds.

Iroko / Milicia excelsa

2009-11-22T01:01:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 165 ft (50 m )

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE Tropical Africa

Also known as the African teak, the iroko has a straight and cylindrical trunk, usually with short buttresses. It is one of the most important timber trees of Africa, often used as a teak substitute. East Africa once was a major source, but the tree has been logged out in the region. West Africa, despite overexploitation, remains an important supplier. The timber is used mainly for construction. BARK Gray to brown-black, rough; exudes white latex. LEAF Alternate, elliptic, 4–8 in (10–20 cm) long. FLOWER Males and females on separate trees; males: white, borne on slender, pendent, catkinlike spikes; females: greenish, in short cylindrical spikes. FRUIT Wrinkled, fleshy, caterpillarlike syncarp, green, 2–3 in (5–7.5 cm) long, 1 in (2.5 cm) thick.

Horseradish Tree / Moringa oleifera

2009-11-21T23:35:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 33 ft (10 m)
TYPE Deciduous
OCCURRENCE N.W. India

European colonists in India used the root of this slender tree as a substitute for horseradish (not advisable as it contains toxic alkaloids), hence the common name. Widely cultivated in the tropics, its leaves, rich in vitamins and minerals, are used as a vegetable supplement. However, the immature green fruit is the most valued part of the plant and is prepared in a fashion similar to green beans. Oil derived from the seeds has been used for cooking, for lubrication, and in cosmetics. BARK Pale, smooth to slightly corky. LEAF Alternate, threepinnate, with a terminal leaflet; leaflets ovate to elliptic or oblong, untoothed, finely hairy when young, turning smooth later. FLOWER White to cream, borne in large axillary, spreading panicles. FRUIT Long, pendulous capsule.

Osage Orange / Maclura pomifera

2009-11-20T00:59:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 65 ft (20 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE S. and C. United States

Often used as a hedge plant outside its native habitat, this tree was cultivated extensively by American Indians for its roots and durable wood, which was used for making weapons and a yellow dye. It has a short trunk and an irregular to rounded crown. BARK Orange-brown, scaly ridges with irregular furrows, with milky sap. LEAF Alternate, ovate to oblonglanceolate, smooth surface, glossy dark green above, turning yellow in fall. FLOWER Males and females on separate trees, both small and inconspicuous; males: in short, terminal racemes; females: in flower heads. FRUIT Cluster of green to orange syncarps.

Moreton Bay Fig / Ficus macrophylla

2009-11-19T00:55:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT 50–180 ft (15–55 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE E. Australia

One of Australia’s largest figs, this massive strangler has a deeply buttressed trunk. When mature, its crown can be up to 165 ft (50 m) wide, sometimes supported by prop roots. BARK Gray-brown, smooth; exudes white latex. LEAF Alternate, dark green above, golden brown beneath. FLOWER Tiny, enclosed in a fig receptacle; males near the opening, females beneath. FRUIT Globose fig, purple when ripe.

Indian Rubber Tree / Ficus elastica

2009-11-18T00:52:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT 65–100 ft (20–30 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE S. and S.E. Asia

Often grown as a houseplant, this strangling fig can attain an impressive size in the wild. It has numerous, slender aerial roots on its trunk and main branches. It is widely planted as an ornamental and street tree. There are several cultivars, including ones with variegated leaves. BARK Pale gray, smooth. LEAF Alternate, smooth and leathery, glossy dark green, with pink to purplish stipules. FLOWER Tiny, enclosed in a fig receptacle; males near the opening, females beneath. FRUIT Oblong, stalkless fig, turning yellow when ripe.

Common Fig / Ficus carica

2009-11-17T00:50:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 33 ft (10 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE W. Asia, introduced in Mediterranean region

This tree has been cultivated for thousands of years for its edible fruit. Its remains have been found at Neolithic sites dating back to 5000 BCE. The Arab expansion in the 6th–8th centuries brought new and better cultivars to the Mediterranean region. Today, there are about 700 known cultivars. BARK Grayish brown, smooth and porous. LEAF Alternate, ovate to round with heartshaped base, 3–5 deep lobes, toothed or wavy margins, rough above, softly hairy beneath. FLOWER Tiny, fleshy, numerous, enclosed in a hollow fig receptacle; males on the inner walls near the small opening at the top, females beneath. FRUIT Reddish purple, pearshaped to globose fig.

Breadfruit / Artocarpus altilis

2009-11-16T00:30:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 100 ft (30 m)

TYPE Evergreen/Deciduous

OCCURRENCE New Guinea, Pacific Islands

Widely cultivated for its edible fruit, the breadfruit tree has a straight trunk and a wide crown with large, spreading branches. BARK Gray, smooth; exudes sticky white latex. LEAF Alternate, large, with 5–11 lobes, pointed tips, glossy bright green above, stiff hairs beneath, with prominent yellowish nerves; stipules are large and conical, leaving scars encircling the stem at the nodes when they fall off. FLOWER Males and females borne on the same tree, inconspicuous, grouped in fleshy inflorescences; males: yellowish brown, densely set on a drooping, cylindrical to clubshaped spike; females: upright, in a rounded to oval prickly head which develops into a compound fruit. FRUIT Spherical to oblong syncarp, often with a warty or spiny surface, 4–12 in (10–30 cm) wide, borne singly or in clusters of two or three at the ends of branches; white, starchy when unripe, usually fragrant when ripe, few seeds,sometimes seedless.

Weeping Fig / Ficus benjamina

2009-11-15T00:38:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 65 ft (20 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE India to S. China, S.E. Asia, N. Australia, Pacific Islands

A strangling fig that often grows into a large spreading tree, the weeping fig usually has many hanging aerial roots, some of which develop into independent trunks. While it remains small as a houseplant, in the wild it develops a dense, spreading crown. There are several ornamental cultivars, and it is popular for bonsai. BARK Pale brown to grayish white; exudes white latex. LEAF Alternate, ovate to elliptic, smooth and leathery. FLOWER Tiny, enclosed in a fig receptacle; males near the opening, females beneath. FRUIT Round, stalkless fig, red with white dots.

Upas Tree / Antiaris toxicaria

2009-11-14T00:24:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 150 ft (45 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE India to S. China, Malaysia, Africa

The upas tree has a conical crown and its trunk is sometimes buttressed. The latex is toxic and contains cardiac glycosides, which can cause heart failure. It has been widely used by some tribal peoples in north India and Borneo to poison arrowheads. BARK Yellowish to grayish white, smooth, usually with lenticels; exudes creamy white, watery latex; it has a fibrous inner bark. LEAF Alternate, oblong-elliptic to obovate, hairy, sometimes toothed. FLOWER Males and females on the same tree; males: fleshy, green, with rounded heads; females: solitary in a pear-shaped receptacle. FRUIT Purple-red pear-shaped drupe, ripening to black, immersed in a fleshy receptacle.

Jackfruit / Artocarpus heterophyllus

2009-11-13T00:19:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT 33–65 ft (10–20 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE S.E. Asia, known only in cultivation

The fruit of this tree is the largest treeborne fruit in the world. It can be eaten fresh, dried as confectionery, or canned. The pulp is used to flavor beverages and ice cream. The seeds can be roasted and used as table nuts. BARK Blackish brown, thick; exudes white latex. LEAF Alternate, elliptic to obovate. FLOWER Males and females borne on the same tree; males: on new wood among the leaves, small, ellipsoidal, and covered with pollen when mature; females: larger than the males, borne on short stalks on the stem and branches. FRUIT Yellowish brown syncarp, up to 110 lb (50 kg) in weight, covered with conical warts, waxy, golden yellow, aromatic pulp; 30–500 oval seeds, surrounded by a thick, gelatinous jacket.

Common Hackberry / Celtis occidentalis

2009-11-12T07:34:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 130 ft (40 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE N.E. and N.C. United States

Although the fruit of this tree is not very fleshy, it was used by American Indians to flavor food. BARK Smooth, dark brown, scaly with age. LEAF Alternate, ovate to ovate-oblong, sharply toothed near the tip. FLOWER Greenish, small, petalless, singly or in small clusters. FRUIT Berrylike, orangered to purple, edible drupe.

Nettle Tree / Celtis australis

2009-11-11T07:32:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 80 ft (25 m)
TYPE Deciduous
OCCURRENCE S. Europe, W. Asia, N. Africa

This tree has a broadly columnar to spreading crown. BARK Gray, smooth. LEAF Alternate, narrowly oval, sharply toothed, dark green and scaly above, gray-green and softly hairy beneath. FLOWER Greenish, tiny, petalless, longstalked, open singly or in small clusters. FRUIT Ovoid purple-brown to blackish drupe

Japanese Zelkova / Zelkova serrata

2009-11-10T07:30:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 100 ft (30 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE China, Korea, Japan

The wood of this tree is valued for making furniture, lacquer-ware, and trays. It grows on moist soil near streams. BARK Smooth, gray, flaking with age. LEAF Alternate, ovate to ovateoblong or elliptic, dark green with scattered hairs above, smooth or slightly hairy below, sharply toothed. FLOWER Green, small, petalless; males and females in separate clusters. FRUIT Small spherical drupe.

Siberian Elm / Ulmus pumila

2009-11-09T07:27:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 80 ft (25 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE N. China, E. Siberia, Korea

Broadly columnar in shape, this fastgrowing tree is sometimes planted as a windbreak in North America. BARK Grayish brown, deeply furrowed. LEAF Alternate, elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate. FLOWER Red, very small, petalless, in dense clusters. FRUIT Winged, slightly notched nutlet.

American Elm / Ulmus americana

2009-11-08T07:18:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT 100–120 ft (30–36 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE E. US, S.E. Canada

This tree’s wood, as with other elms, is hard to split and was used for wheel hubs. American Indians used a decoction of the bark medicinally. BARK Ash gray, deeply fissured, with scaly ridges. LEAF Alternate, ovateoblong to elliptic, downy beneath. FLOWER Reddish, tiny, petalless, in axillary clusters on long, drooping stalks. FRUIT Nutlet, notched at top, with hairy margin.

Wych Elm / Ulmus glabra

2009-11-07T07:22:00.001-08:00

HEIGHT up to 130 ft (40 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE N. and C. Europe, W. Asia

The wych elm has a broad crown and short trunk. Its wood is very durable in wet conditions and was popular for troughs, cribs, and coffins. It is still used for the construction of breakwaters for coastal defenses and harbors. BARK Gray, smooth. LEAF Alternate, elliptic to oblong-obovate, coarse and uneven at bases, double-toothed margins, dark green and roughly hairy above, usually downy beneath. FLOWER Tiny, with reddish anthers, petalless, in dense, axillary clusters. FRUIT Smooth nutlet surrounded by a membranous wing.

Raisin Tree / Hovenia dulcis

2009-11-06T07:16:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 33 ft (10 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE China, Japan, Korea

The fruit stalks of this tree are edible while the fruit itself is not. BARK Smooth, gray when young, paler and furrowing with age. LEAF Alternate, toothed, longstalked. FLOWER Cream to greenish white, small. FRUIT Purple-black, fleshy drupe.

Jujube / Ziziphus jujuba

2009-11-05T07:13:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 33 ft (10 m)
TYPE Deciduous
OCCURRENCE S. Europe, N. Africa, W. Asia, China, S. United States

This tree has been cultivated in China for more than 4,000 years. It has a broad crown and drooping branches. The sweet fruit can be dried or candied. BARK Gray to dull black, rough. LEAF Alternate, smooth or slightly hairy on the veins below. FLOWER Yellowish green, small, in axillary cymes. FRUIT Purple-red, eggshaped, fleshy drupe.

Deodar Cedar / Cedrus deodara

2009-11-04T12:49:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 200 ft (60 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE Himalayas

Like the Atlas cedar, this tree has a stout trunk with a triangular crown, but with downswept branches, and a drooping leading shoot. Its oil was once used to treat skin diseases. BARK Gray-brown and smooth when young, rough and grooved when mature. LEAF Pale green needles, up to 2 in (5 cm) long, in tufts of about 15–20 on spur shoots. FLOWER Males: yellowish, in clusters, often curving; females: greenish, in upright clusters. FRUIT Erect, barrel-shaped cones that turn brown as they ripen.

Wild Service Tree / Sorbus torminalis

2009-11-04T07:12:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 80 ft (25 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE Europe, N. Africa, S.W. Asia

The wood, used in carpentry, of this broadly columnar tree is quite dense due to its slow-growing nature. BARK Dark brown, scaly. LEAF Alternate, deeply lobed at base. FLOWER White, in flattened clusters. FRUIT Small, brown, rounded pome.

Whitty Pear / Sorbus domestica

2009-11-03T07:08:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 65 ft (20 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE S. Europe, N. Africa, S.W. Asia

This broadly columnar tree, once grown for its fruit, is now becoming rare. BARK Dark brown, scaly. LEAF Alternate, pinnate; oblong to lanceolate leaflets, smooth above, hairy beneath. FLOWER White, in large clusters. FRUIT Yellowgreen pome.

European Mountain Ash / Sorbus aucuparia

2009-11-02T07:03:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 50 ft (15 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE N. Africa, W. Asia

The dried berries of this tree are used mainly in the food and beverage industries. BARK Gray, smooth. LEAF Alternate, pinnate, with 9–15 elliptic to lanceolate leaflets. FLOWER White, in flat clusters. FRUIT Orange-red pome.

Willow Pear / Pyrus salicifolia

2009-11-01T07:06:00.000-08:00

HEIGHT up to 33 ft (10 m)
TYPE Deciduous
OCCURRENCE W. Asia

This spreading tree has slender, pendent shoots and willow-like leaves. It is considered one of the best cultivated ornamental pears. BARK Pale gray-brown. LEAF Alternate, lanceolate. FLOWER Large, white, on short shoots. FRUIT Yellowbrown pome, hairy; later smooth.

Chinese Pear / Pyrus pyrifolia

2009-10-31T06:57:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 40 ft (12 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE C. and W. China

This tree was brought into cultivation in China 3,000 years ago. BARK Dark gray to purplish brown. LEAF Alternate, ovate to ovate-oblong, bristle-toothed margins. FLOWER White, borne in clusters of 6–9. FRUIT Brown to yellow, rounded pome.

River Redgum / Eucalyptus camaldulensis

2009-10-30T05:53:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 130 ft (40 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE Australia

This tree, with its broadly columnar or spreading crown, is widespread in its native range. Its timber is hard, durable, and termite-resistant. Its pollen and nectar make high-quality honey. BARK Smooth, mottled white, gray, brown, or red. LEAF Alternate, gray-green, quite thick, turning oval to lanceolate with age. FLOWER In axillary clusters of 7–11 creamy white flowers. FRUIT Semi-spherical capsule, 7⁄32– 5⁄16 in (7–8 mm) long, 3⁄16–1⁄4 in (5–6 mm) wide, yellow seeds.

Alpine Ash / Eucalyptus delegatensis

2009-10-28T05:50:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 260 ft (80 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE S.E. Australia, Tasmania

The alpine ash is a high-altitude, subalpine tree that can tolerate extreme environmental conditions. It is a fastgrowing timber tree and produces highquality wood. BARK Rough, fibrous below, main branches smooth and stringy. LEAF Alternate; adults narrowly lanceolate, stalked, curved with uneven base, dull green with reddish tint; juveniles gray-green and broader. FLOWER Creamy white, in numerous axillary umbels of 7–11. FRUIT Gobletshaped dry capsule, 3⁄8 in (1 cm) long, usually with four valves.

Baobab / Adansonia digitata

2009-10-27T23:43:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT 33–80 ft (10–25 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE Tropical Africa

The baobab, which can live for over 1,000 years, is a focus for myth: it is said that a devil uprooted the tree and replanted it upside down; spirits are linked with its night-opening flowers (the tree is pollinated by bats). The baobab has edible leaves, seeds, and pulp, and the inner bark is used to make rope. The massive trunk stores water, which can be tapped for drinking. BARK Grayish brown, tinged mauve, smooth. LEAF Alternate, digitate, with 5–7 elliptic-oblong to ovate leaflets that are hairy below when young. FLOWER Axillary, solitary, large, sweet-scented, with waxy and crinkled white to cream petals, numerous stamens. FRUIT Ovoid brown capsule, velvety hairy outside; black seeds.

Whitebeam / Sorbus aria

2009-10-26T07:05:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 80 ft (25 m)
TYPE Deciduous
OCCURRENCE Europe

This tree is found on well-drained chalk and limestone. BARK Gray, cracking with age. LEAF Alternate, ovate to ellipticoblong, covered with hairs when young, pale green above, whitish hairs beneath. FLOWER In flattened terminal clusters, with five white petals. FRUIT Red-orange, spherical to egg-shaped pome.

Grass-Tree / Xanthorrhoea australis

2009-10-26T01:24:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 6 ft (2 m)
TYPE Evergreen
OCCURRENCE Australia (New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania)

Grass-trees are unique to the Australian bush. They are very slow-growing and can survive for many hundreds of years. Some plants may branch and have two or more heads, unlike the black gin, which has only one. The tree flowers in spring, blooming prolifically after a bush-fire. Grass-trees were a staple plant for the Aboriginals, providing food, drink, fiber, and materials for making implements and weapons. They are now valued as garden specimens. BARK Thick, corky, covered with leaf bases. LEAF Long, narrow, green, crowded at the top of the trunk. FLOWER Very small, clustered together, in tall, straight, cylindrical spikes that arise from the leaves, with six white or cream petals, and white stamens; they contain copious amounts of nectar. FRUIT Capsule, with hard, black seeds.

Sweet Acacia / Acacia farnesiana

2009-10-25T00:50:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT 5–26 ft (1.5–8 m)
TYPE Evergreen
OCCURRENCE Tropical America, parts of Africa, Australia

This small tree or thorny shrub is also called golden mimosa. Its flowers are used to produce “Cassie” perfume, which is an ingredient of many cosmetics and fine perfumes. BARK Dark brown, smooth. LEAF Alternate, bipinnate with linear to oblong leaflets in 10–25 pairs. FLOWER Mostly bisexual, in axillary, rounded flower heads, with numerous stamens; sweetly scented. FRUIT Sausagelike, brownish black pod.

Quiver Tree / Aloe dichotoma

2009-10-24T01:22:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 25 ft (8 m)
TYPE Evergreen
OCCURRENCE S. Namibia, N.W. South Africa

The branches of this desert species repeatedly divide into two, which explains its name “dichotoma” (forked). The name “quiver tree” comes from the lightweight branches, which can be easily hollowed out and were once used by the hunters of the San tribe in southern Africa as quivers. The tree has a rounded crown topped with rosettes of leaves. The bark and fleshy leaves can store water. BARK Pale brown, corky and smooth, with large plates that peel off. LEAF Graygreen, narrow, pointed, with triangulartoothed margins. FLOWER Bright yellow, nectar-filled, up to 11⁄4 in (3 cm) long, on branched spikes. FRUIT Smooth, shiny capsule with narrow seeds.

Avocado / Persea americana

2009-10-23T01:16:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 60 ft (18 m)
TYPE Semi-evergreen
OCCURRENCE S. Mexico

A fast-growing tree, the avocado was first cultivated in Central America, but it is now grown throughout the tropics. Its eggshaped or pear-shaped fruits have yellowish flesh, with a buttery texture, which is exceptionally rich in proteins and oils. In its native habitat, the tree sheds its leaves briefly during the dry season, when it flowers. BARK Dark gray-brown, smooth. LEAF Alternate, glossy dark green above, whitish below, variable in shape. FLOWER Pale green to yellowgreen, three petal-like lobes, with nine stamens; in racemes. FRUIT Yellow to black drupe, speckled with yellow dots or raised spots.

Cape York Redgum / Eucalyptus brassiana

2009-10-22T05:46:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 100 ft (30 m)
TYPE Evergreen
OCCURRENCE Australia (Queensland), Papua New Guinea

Native to the Cape York peninsula, this is a popular shade tree. Its flowers are an important food source for bees. BARK Graywhite, smooth, peeling in narrow strips. LEAF Stalked, gray-green, yellowish or red midvein. FLOWER Umbels with 3–7 stalked, white flowers. FRUIT Semi-spherical, dry capsule, 1⁄4–4 in (6–10 mm) long.

California Laurel / Umbellularia californica

2009-10-22T00:56:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 100 ft (30 m)
TYPE Evergreen
OCCURRENCE US (California, Oregon)

Often multi-stemmed, the California laurel has a broadly spreading habit and is found in forests and scrub in canyons and valleys. It is valuable for its pale brown timber. It has an attractive finish and is used as a veneer in furniture, paneling, and cabinetwork. BARK Graybrown, thin, smooth, becoming reddish brown, scaly with age. LEAF Alternate, dark green, leathery, glossy above, peppery aroma when crushed. FLOWER Yellow-green, 6–10 on each flowering stem, in leaf axils. FRUIT Drupe, green at first, ripening to bluish black, up to 3⁄4 in (2 cm) wide, on yellow stalk.

Silver Wattle / Acacia dealbata

2009-10-21T00:49:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 65 ft (20 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE S.E. Australia, Tasmania

A broadly conical to spreading tree, the silver wattle is widely cultivated in the Mediterranean region. BARK Smooth, green or blue-green, turning almost black with age. LEAF Alternate, bipinnate, 43⁄4 in (12 cm) long, divided into numerous leaflets, about 3⁄16 in (5 mm) long each, untoothed, blue-green, and finely hairy. FLOWER In panicles of small, rounded clusters; individual flowers are small, bright yellow, and have numerous stamens. FRUIT Flattened pod, ripening from green to blue-green to brown.

Sassafras / Sassafras albidum

2009-10-20T00:53:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 65 ft (20 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE E. United States

This broadly spreading tree has aromatic leaves. The bark, twigs, and leaves provide food for wildlife, particularly deer, and can be used to restore depleted soil. The orange timber is used for making barrels, buckets, and other items. Tea is brewed from its roots and the leaves are used for thickening soups. Its oil is used for making perfume. BARK Dark gray-brown, thick. LEAF Gray-green above, whitish beneath; juveniles with toothed margins, adults mitten-shaped or three-lobed. FLOWER Green-yellow, petalless, borne in drooping, few-flowered, axillary racemes; males and females on separate trees. FRUIT Dark blue, singleseeded drupe with pulpy flesh; thick red stalk.

Mulga / Acacia aneura

2009-10-19T00:44:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT 16–33 ft (5–10 m)
TYPE Evergreen
OCCURRENCE Australia

This erect, spreading tree or shrub in rare cases reaches 56 ft (18 m) in height and is an exceedingly variable species with about ten varieties. It is long-lived and is such a prominent part of the Australian scrubland that areas in which it grows are referred to as “mulga country” or “mulga lands.” The tree is of economic importance as fodder for grazing animals. BARK Dark gray, fissured. LEAF Straight or slightly curved, highly variable in shape, narrow, bluegreen to gray-green, smooth or finely hairy. FLOWER Golden yellow, in stalked axillary, cylindrical spikes. FRUIT Flat, broad pod that is narrowly winged, ripening to brown.

Chusan Palm / Trachycarpus fortunei

2009-10-18T00:41:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 33 ft (10 m)
TYPE Evergreen
OCCURRENCE China

The hardiest palm, this ornamental tree occurs in mountainous regions that are often covered with snow in winter, and can survive without its leaves. Its trunk tends to be narrower at the base. BARK Gray or brown, coarse, becoming smooth with age. LEAF Unevenly divided, split halfway to leaf stalk, dark green above, silvery below, 4 ft (1.2 m) wide. FLOWER Males and females in branched clusters on separate trees. FRUIT Round to oblong, blueblack berry.

Royal Palm / Roystonea regia

2009-10-17T00:40:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 65 ft (20 m)
TYPE Evergreen
OCCURRENCE Native to Cuba and Honduras, but introduced in Florida

This graceful palm is notable for its saltresistance and rapid growth. BARK Pale gray, smooth. LEAF 15–20, pinnate, bright green, with linear leaflets. FLOWER Males and females on same flowering shoots, both small, white. FRUIT Round drupe, green ripening to purple-black, with small seed.

Canary Palm / Phoenix canariensis

2009-10-16T00:31:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 65 ft (20 m)
TYPE Evergreen
OCCURRENCE Canary Islands

One of the most grown ornamentals of the world, this tree has a rounded crown. BARK Brown, thick, with prominent leaf scars. LEAF Pinnate, up to 18 ft (5.5 m) long, deep green, shading to yellow at stalk. FLOWER Males and females on separate trees; small, off-white, on stalks up to 61⁄2 ft (2 m) long. FRUIT Orange drupe.

Davidson Plum / Davidsonia pruriens

2009-10-15T05:47:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 33 ft (10 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE Australia (Queensland)

Ooray, as this tree is also known, is a popular garden plant. Despite being very acid, the fruit was prized by early European settlers. It is used to make jams and wines. BARK Brown, corky, and scaly. LEAF Alternate, pinnate, with a terminal leaflet; leaflets leathery, ovate-lanceolate, densely hairy, sharply and irregularly toothed. FLOWER Borne in panicles on trunk and leaf axils, reddish brown. FRUIT Dark purple, very similar in shape and size to a plum, grows in a large cluster.

Soapbark Tree / Quillaja saponaria

2009-10-14T05:45:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 65 ft (20 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE Chile, Peru

First used by the Mapuche people of Chile, the bark extract of this tree is utilized as a foaming agent in beverages and a wetting agent in photography. BARK Gray-brown, finely pustular, turning darker and tough. LEAF Alternate, elliptic to ovate, margins smooth to toothed. FLOWER White, in terminal flat-topped clusters. FRUIT Follicle with winged seeds.

Bay Laurel / Laurus nobilis

2009-10-14T00:58:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 60 ft (18 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE N. Asia, Mediterranean

The bay laurel is the true laurel of Greek and Roman mythology. Considered sacred to the god Apollo, it symbolized victory and merit. It was an honor to be crowned with a garland of fruiting laurel leaves, and even today, a baccalaureate (baca lauri, Latin for “laurel berry”) signifies achievement. The tree is now grown commercially for its aromatic leaves, which are used in cooking. BARK Shiny gray, smooth. LEAF Alternate, shiny dark green, leathery, 3–4 in (7.5–10 cm) long, with wavy margins, pointed tips, tapered base; red leaf stalks. FLOWER Males and females on separate trees, in clusters on leaf axils; small, yellow, with six petals, males with numerous stamens. FRUIT Black to purple, rounded, fleshy berry, up to 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) long, on female plants.

Raffia Palm / Raphia farinifera

2009-10-14T00:38:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 33 ft (10 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE Madagascar, E. Africa

This imposing African palm has the largest leaves of any tree. They are the source of raffia, a natural fiber. Its flowers are borne in clusters of thousands, on a drooping shoot that looks like a large rope. BARK Pale gray or brown, with leaf scars. LEAF Pinnate, to 65 ft (20 m) long. FLOWER Borne on the same inflorescence; males: on top, large, tubular; females: at bottom, small. FRUIT Oval, scaly brown drupe.

Starfruit Tree / Averrhoa carambola

2009-10-13T05:44:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 50 ft (15 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE S.E. Asia, Florida

This many-branched, bushy tree has a broad crown, with drooping branches. BARK Pale brown, smooth. LEAF Alternate, pinnate, with a terminal leaflet, sometimes hairy. FLOWER In axillary panicles, pale red with a purple heart. FRUIT Egg-shaped berry, orange-yellow when ripe.

Bilimbi / Averrhoa bilimbi

2009-10-12T05:42:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 50 ft (15 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE India, S.E. Asia

Also called the cucumber tree, this tree has a short trunk and erect branches. The fruit is sour and usually not eaten raw. BARK Pinkish brown, smooth, sometimes slightly flaky. LEAF Alternate, pinnate, crowded at ends of branches, with a terminal leaflet; leaflets are ovate, in 7–19 pairs, sometimes hairy. FLOWER In small panicles, five petals, yellowish green or purplish, marked with dark purple, fragrant. FRUIT Oval to egg-shaped or nearly cylindrical berry, faintly five-sided, yellowish green to whitish.

Red Mangrove / Rhizophora mangle

2009-10-12T05:40:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 80 ft (25 m)
TYPE Evergreen
OCCURRENCE US (S. Florida), West Indies, coasts of tropical America, W. Africa

This species dominates mangrove swamps in the Western Hemisphere. Its bark has been a source of tannin, dyes, and medicines. BARK Gray to gray-brown, developing scaly ridges. LEAF Opposite, leathery, elliptic to obovate-elliptic. FLOWER Pale yellowish green; four sepals and four petals. FRUIT Leathery, initially conical berry, germinating on parent tree..

Bhutan Pine / Pinus wallichiana

2009-10-09T01:08:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 160 ft (50 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE Himalayas

The hard, durable wood of this conifer is used for buildings and to make tea chests. BARK Orange or pink-brown, cracks with age. LEAF Needles in fives, 6–8 in (15–20 cm) long, green on top, bluish white lines below. FLOWER Males: yellow, in clusters; females: greenyellow in groups of up to six. FRUIT Long cones, mature from green to pale brown.

Chir Pine / Pinus roxburghii

2009-10-09T01:07:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 180 ft (55 m)
TYPE Evergreen
OCCURRENCE Himalayas

The timber of this tree is a rich source of resin. BARK Dark red to brown, resinous, thick, scaly, fissured. LEAF Needles, in bundles of three, 8–12 in (20–30 cm) long. FLOWER Males and females on same plant. FRUIT Elongated cones, 4–8 in (10–20 cm) long.

Eastern Hemlock / Tsuga canadensis

2009-10-08T00:50:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT 100 ft (30 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE E. North America

Cultivated as an ornamental, with many bushy dwarf forms, the eastern hemlock grows well on chalky soil. Its timber is used for pulp. BARK Gray, ridged, flaking. LEAF Twisted needles on yellow stalks, in three ranks, minute teeth on edges, especially near tip; dark green above, narrow silvery bands beneath; fruity smell when crushed. FLOWER Males yellow; females green. FRUIT Small, oval cones on short stalks.

Douglas Fir / Pseudotsuga menziesii

2009-10-08T00:46:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 325 ft (100 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE North America

Named after plant collector David Douglas, this tall fir is valued for its fine timber. BARK Dark gray or purple, fissured. LEAF Soft, green needles; two white bands beneath. FLOWER Males: yellow, beneath shoots; females: red, on shoot tips. FRUIT Pendent cone, pale brown.

Umbrella Pine / Sciadopitys verticillata

2009-10-07T00:08:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT 65–100 ft (20–30 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE Japan

An attractive ornamental, this tree is sacred in Japan. Its wood is water-resistant. BARK Red-brown, thick, soft, and stringy. LEAF Brown scale leaves on stem; fleshy needles in clusters of 10–30 at shoot nodes, glossy green above. FLOWER Males: yellow, in dense clusters; females: oval, green, solitary. FRUIT Fragile cone, ripens to brown; orange-brown seeds.

Japanese White Pine / Pinus parviflora

2009-10-05T23:11:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 65 ft (20 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE Japan and Korea

A common ornamental, this pine has a wide, low crown and a massive, straight trunk, which sometimes splits into two or more branches. BARK Smooth, gray, becoming rough and fissured, peeling off into scales. LEAF Twisted needles, triangular in cross-section, dark green above, pale green beneath, borne densely around shoot in fives. FLOWER Males: clustered around shoot; females: at end of shoot, pink-purple. FRUIT Cones, 2–3 in (6–8 cm) long, ripen from green to purple.

Sitka Spruce / Picea sitchensis

2009-10-05T23:03:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 260 ft (80 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE North America

Named after the Sitka Sound in Alaska, this tree thrives in moist conditions, and is found only within 50 miles (80 km) of the coast. Its strong but light wood is used for pulp. BARK Gray, becoming purplegray and peeling with age. LEAF Thin, sharp needles, dark green and shiny

above, two broad white bands below. FLOWER In clusters. Males: red; females: green-purple.

FRUIT Pendent, slightly tapered, pale brown cones.

Cork Oak / Quercus suber

2009-10-05T04:43:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 65 ft (20 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE W. Mediterranean, especially Portugal

Cork forests form an environmentally friendly ecosystem, rich in wildlife. These broadly spreading trees grow on hills in open woodland. The cork is harvested every 9–12 years. Bottle corks account for 15 percent of production by weight but 65 percent of value of a $3 billion industry. Stripping the bark, from which cork is produced, does not damage the living tissue of the plant, which grows a new outer layer within a few years. BARK Thick, furrowed, and corky, with prominent ridges. LEAF Alternate, ovate to oblong, toothed margins, covered with minute gray felt beneath. FLOWER Males: borne in slender catkins; females: inconspicuous, on short downy stalks, borne separately on the same plant. FRUIT Acorn, enclosed halfway in the cup, covered by elongated graybrown scales, matures in the first season.

Wax Myrtle / Morella cerifera

2009-10-05T04:40:00.001-07:00

HEIGHT 20–40 ft (6–12 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE S.E. United States

The leaves of this tree are aromatic when crushed. Early European settlers would boil the fruit and skim off the wax, which could then be used to make candles. BARK Smooth, pale gray. LEAF Alternate, oblanceolate, usually coarsely toothed above center; dark glands above, bright orange glands beneath. FLOWER Males and females on separate trees, both in short, spikelike catkins. FRUIT Spherical, pale green drupe.

Eastern White Pine / Pinus strobus

2009-10-01T22:59:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 215 ft (65 m)
TYPE Evergreen
OCCURRENCE E. North America

Also called the Weymouth pine, this tree was once extensively logged to construct ships’ masts. BARK Gray, becoming furrowed with purple-tinged rectangular plates. LEAF Needles, in bundles of five. FLOWER Males: yellow, in clusters at the base of shoots; females: pinkish, in pairs at the end of shoots. FRUIT Bananashaped, pale brown cones, in clusters.

Mexican Pine / Pinus patula

2009-10-01T22:55:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 100 ft (30 m)
TYPE Evergreen
OCCURRENCE Mexico

The Mexican pine prefers acid soil and plenty of moisture. Its timber is used for pulp. BARK Red-orange, becoming greybrown and vertically ridged. LEAF Pale green to yellow-green needles, in threes or fives. FLOWER Males and females on same plant; females appearing a year later than males. FRUIT Brown or yellowbrown cones in groups of 3–6.

Fire Tree / Nuytsia floribunda

2009-10-01T02:32:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 33 ft (10 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE Western Australia

Also known as the Western Australian Christmas Tree, this evergreen shrub or small tree is semiparasitic, getting water and nutrients from the roots of grasses and other plants

up to 500 ft (150 m) away. Its spectacular flowers bloom for several months around Christmas.

Its thin, long leaves give the tree an untidy appearance. BARK Rough, gray-brown. LEAF Linear, dark green. FLOWER In clusters on branched inflorescences. FRUIT Dry nut with three broad, leathery wings.

Bella Umbra / Phytolacca dioica

2009-10-01T01:30:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 60 ft (18 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay

Also known as ombu or belhambra, this fast-growing, herbaceous tree has a broad trunk with high water content. The only tree to live on the Pampas grasslands in South America, it is well adapted to grassland fires and scarcity of water due to a fire-resistant trunk that can store water. Its poisonous sap keeps browsing animals away. This tree is also valued for the shade it provides. BARK Pale brown, very spongy. LEAF Dark, glossy green, ovate or elliptic. FLOWER Small, greenish white, in clusters. FRUIT In clusters on stalks like a mass of curled up caterpillars, green turning crimson when ripe, up to 3⁄8 in (1 cm) wide.

Babaco / Vasconcellea x heilbornii

2009-09-30T03:20:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT 3–7 ft (1–2 m)
TYPE Semi-evergreen
OCCURRENCE Ecuador, known only in cultivation

Also known as mountain papaya, this fastgrowing treelike giant herb is thought to be a hybrid between two Andean papayas, V. pubescens and V. stipulata. BARK Greenish to gray-brown, smooth, with prominent leaf scars. LEAF Alternate, clustered at the stem tip, rounded, palmate, deeply divided and toothed, with 5–7 lobes, 1–7 veins and a long stalk. FLOWER Solitary,
each on a pendulous stalk, with yellowish green petals, forming on the trunk during its growth phase. FRUIT Large torpedoshaped green berry, yellow when ripe, borne on the stem; thin, edible skin, creamy flesh.

English Oak / Quercus robur

2009-09-30T03:16:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT 80–130 ft (25–40 m)

TYPE Deciduous

OCCURRENCE Europe, W. Asia, N. Africa

Also known as pedunculate oak, this tree has a spreading habit and smooth shoots. Oak forests were once a valuable resource for industrial and naval activities. Its bark is also used in the tanning industry. A famous heritage tree in Britain is “The Major” in Sherwood Forest, which is estimated to be 800 years old; legend has it that Robin Hood hid in this tree. BARK Grayish brown, vertically ridged. LEAF Alternate, obovate, with 5–9 lobes, dark green above, bluegreen beneath. FLOWER Males in drooping catkins; females inconspicuous, on short stalks. FRUIT Ovoid, long-stalked acorns, one-third to one-half enclosed in a cup, initially green, ripening to brown in first year.

Norway Spruce / Picea abies

2009-09-29T01:30:00.000-07:00

HEIGHT up to 130 ft (40 m)

TYPE Evergreen

OCCURRENCE N., C., and E. Europe

The wood of this popular Christmas tree is used for building work, packing cases, paper pulp, and for making sounding boards and posts for violins. BARK Orange-brown, turning gray-brown

with age and developing small scales. LEAF Stiff, prickly, four-sided needles, dark green on all sides. FLOWER In separate, upright clusters. Males: red; females: dark red. FRUIT Pendent

cylindrical cones have scales that are notched at the tip, 43⁄4–61⁄2 in (12–16 cm) long, tapered at each end, like a cigar.