Author: Hannah Ko
-
Bigleaf Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla)
Physical Description The Bigleaf Mahogany is a large, tropical hardwood tree that can grow up to 150 feet (45 meters) tall. It has large, compound leaves and produces small, fragrant, white to yellowish flowers. The tree’s wood is highly valued for its rich, reddish-brown color and durability. Environmental Concerns The Bigleaf Mahogany is endangered due…
-
Drosera rotundifolia
Common Names: Phonetic Spelling: DRAH-ser-uh roh-tun-dih-FOH-lee-uh Description: Distribution/Location: Environmental Concerns: Fun Fact: Sundews are remarkable for their carnivorous diet! They capture and digest insects using their sticky, dew-covered leaves, supplementing their nutrient intake in poor soil conditions. Charles Darwin was fascinated by Sundews and conducted extensive studies on their carnivorous behavior.
-
Tree of Ténéré (Acacia raddiana)
Physical Description The Tree of Ténéré, a solitary Acacia species, was notable for being the only tree for hundreds of kilometers in the Sahara Desert. It had a slender trunk and small, compound leaves adapted to arid conditions. Unfortunately, the original tree was destroyed in 1973, but efforts are underway to propagate its descendants. Environmental…
-
Pinus contorta
Common Names: Lodgepole Pine, Shore Pine, Twisted Pine Phonetic Spelling: PIE-nus kon-TOR-tuh Description: Pinus contorta is a versatile evergreen conifer that varies significantly in size and form depending on the subspecies and habitat. It can range from a small, shrubby tree 5 meters (16 feet) tall in coastal regions (subspecies contorta), to a tall, straight…
-
Nyssa sylvatica
Common Names: Phonetic Spelling: NISS-uh sil-VAT-ih-kuh Description: Nyssa sylvatica is a deciduous tree that typically grows 15 to 25 meters (50 to 80 feet) tall, with a straight trunk and a rounded to pyramidal crown. It has a distinctive, irregular branching pattern. The leaves are simple, alternate, and oblong to ovate, measuring 5 to 12…