Author: Christopher Ko
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Gingko biloba
Common Names: Phonetic Spelling: GINK-go BIL-oh-buh Description: Ginkgo biloba is a deciduous tree with a unique fan-shaped leaf. It can grow up to 30 meters (98 feet) tall and has a distinctive, irregular branching pattern. The leaves are bilobed, with a fan-like shape and a bright green color that turns yellow in the fall. They…
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Protea cynaroides
Common Names: King Protea Phonetic Spelling: pro-TEE-uh sin-ar-OY-deez Description: Protea cynaroides is a large, evergreen shrub or small tree with striking, artichoke-like flower heads. It can grow up to 3 meters (10 feet) tall. The leaves are thick, leathery, and ovate to lanceolate, with a silvery or grey-green color. The flowers are large, with pink,…
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Kokia (Kokia drynarioides)
Physical Description Kokia is a small tree or shrub endemic to Hawaii, typically reaching heights of up to 6 meters (20 feet). It has broad, dark green leaves and produces striking, bright red flowers. The tree is adapted to dry, rocky environments and has a gnarled appearance. Environmental Concerns Kokia is critically endangered due to…
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Baccharis salicifolia
Common Names: Mule Fat, Seepwillow, Water-Wally Phonetic Spelling: BAK-uh-ris sal-ih-sih-FOH-lee-uh Description: The Baccharis salicifolia is a perennial, evergreen shrub that typically grows 1 to 3 meters (3 to 10 feet) tall. It has a rounded to irregular shape with many slender, woody stems. The leaves are narrow, lance-shaped, and resemble those of a willow tree,…
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Dionaea muscipula
Common Names: Venus Flytrap Phonetic Spelling: dy-oh-NEE-uh MUS-sip-yoo-luh Description: The Dionaea muscipula is a small, perennial carnivorous plant that typically grows 15 to 30 centimeters (6 to 12 inches) tall. It has a rosette of basal leaves with specialized leaf structures known as traps. The leaves are modified into lobes with hinged, tooth-edged traps that…