Physocarpus capitatus
| Physocarpus capitatus | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Genus: | Physocarpus |
| Species: | P. capitatus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Physocarpus capitatus (Pursh) Kuntze
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Physocarpus opulfolius, Physocarpus tomentullus, Spiraea capitatus | |
Physocarpus capitatus, commonly called Pacific ninebark or tall ninebark, is a species of Physocarpus in the rose family native to western North America.
Description[]
It is a dense deciduous shrub growing to 1–2.5 metres (3 ft 3 in–8 ft 2 in) tall. The name comes from the appearance of the reddish-gray bark, which is flaky, and peels away in many irregular thin layers.
The shrub has distinctive grape or maple-like palmately lobed leaves 3–14 centimetres (1.2–5.5 in) long and broad. They are deeply veined with double-toothed margins, and are a dark, shiny green on top.[1]
It has clusters of small, creamy white flowers with five petals and numerous red-tipped stamens, which appear in late spring and persist into midsummer.
The unique fruit is an inflated glossy red pod about 6 millimetres (0.24 in) long which turns dry and brown and then splits open to release seeds.
Distribution[]
It is found at low and middle elevations in southern Alaska east to Montana and Utah, and south to southern California. It is most common west of the Cascades and Sierra Nevada, often abundant on the north slopes of coastal mountains. It is less prevalent in the east of its range, where it overlaps with that of the mallow ninebark.
Ecology[]
It is often found in wetlands, but also forms thickets along rivers and in moist forest habitats. While it grows most robustly in wet environments, it is drought-tolerant to a degree. It prefers partial shade, but tolerates full sun and is adapted to many different soil types.[2]
Although it has low palatability for browsing ungulates, Pacific Ninebark provides good cover and nesting sites for birds and small mammals.[2] The seeds are eaten by birds, and persist in the seed heads until winter.[1]
Uses[]
Pacific Ninebark is used in ecological restoration due to its fibrous roots which are good for bank stabilization, and its ability to grow from cuttings.[2] Furthermore, it does not need an overhead canopy to become established at a restoration site as it is tolerant of direct sun. It grows aggressively enough to shade out invasive species such as reed canary grass and Himalayan blackberry.[1]
It is popular in California as a garden plant.
It was used as an emetic and a laxative by indigenous groups.[2] The stems were used to make children's hunting bows and small items such as needles; straighter shoots were used to make arrows. The bark was mixed with cedar bark to make a dark brown dye.[1]
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Pacific ninebark - The North Creek Wetland - UW Bothell". www.uwb.edu. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d Gonzalves, Pete; Darris, Dale (June 28, 2007). "Plant Fact Sheet- PACIFIC NINEBARK Physocarpus capitatus" (PDF). United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
Casebeer, M. (2004). Discover California Shrubs. Sonora, California: Hooker Press. ISBN 0-9665463-1-8
External links[]
Media related to Physocarpus capitatus at Wikimedia Commons
- Physocarpus
- Flora of Alaska
- Flora of British Columbia
- Flora of California
- Flora of Idaho
- Flora of Oregon
- Flora of Washington (state)
- Flora of the Cascade Range
- Flora of the Klamath Mountains
- Flora of the Sierra Nevada (U.S.)
- Natural history of the California chaparral and woodlands
- Natural history of the California Coast Ranges
- Taxa named by Frederick Traugott Pursh
- Garden plants of North America