 |
Shrub or small tree. Flowers in early spring,
before the leaves appear. Two kinds of flowers: male
flowers (above) are long, thin yellowish brown catkins, and female
flowers (right, above right, and below left) are very small brown
cones with red pistils at the tip. Fruit a brown nut, encased
in a woody husk that peels back and has a ragged edge. Fruits often persist all
winter on the plant and can be found in spring along with the
flowers.
Occasional understory shrub in the woods. Best seen
along Wildwood Drive. There is a fine specimen across from the
Outdoor Classroom.
The combination of tiny red female flowers and male catkins is
distinctive in the spring, the leaves are easily recognized in the summer,
and the distinctive fruits are good identifiers year round. |
|
