Author: Hannah Ko
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Hippophae rhamnoides
Common Names: Phonetic Spelling: HIP-oh-fay ram-NOY-deez Description: A spiny, deciduous shrub with narrow, silver-green leaves and bright orange berries. Linear, silver-green leaves. Small, yellowish flowers. Bright orange berries. Distribution/Location: Native to Europe and Asia, often found along coastlines. Environmental Benefits: Nitrogen-fixing shrub that enriches poor soils, prevents erosion, and provides food for wildlife. Planted often…
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Artemisia
Common Names: Artemisia, Wormwood, Sagebrush Phonetic Spelling: ar-tuh-MIZH-ee-uh Description: Artemisia species vary widely in appearance and size. They can be annuals, perennials, or shrubs, with foliage ranging from finely dissected to broad and aromatic. The leaves are typically silvery-gray to green, often aromatic due to the presence of essential oils. They can be deeply lobed…
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Clanwilliam Cedar (Widdringtonia cedarbergensis)
Physical Description The Clanwilliam Cedar is a slow-growing, evergreen conifer that can reach up to 60 feet (18 meters) in height. It has a straight trunk, dark green, scale-like leaves, and produces small, woody cones. The bark is reddish-brown and peels in thin strips. Environmental Concerns Endemic to the Cederberg Mountains in South Africa, the…
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Puu Kahea (Colubrina oppositifolia)
Physical Description The Puu Kahea is a small, rare tree native to Hawaii, typically growing up to 20 feet (6 meters) tall. It has simple, opposite leaves that are glossy and dark green. The tree produces small, greenish-white flowers that bloom in clusters. Environmental Concerns The Puu Kahea is critically endangered, with very few individuals…
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Thuja plicata
Common Names: Western Red Cedar, Giant Arborvitae, Pacific Red Cedar, British Columbia Cedar Phonetic Spelling: THOO-yuh plih-KAY-tuh Description Western Red Cedar is a large, evergreen coniferous tree in the cypress family. It can grow up to 70 meters (230 feet) tall and has a trunk diameter of up to 7 meters (23 feet). The bark…