Plants Lab

Redwood tree (Sequoia sempervirens)- The Redwoods are confers and some of the tallest tress in the world. averaging eight feet to 20 feet in diameter and can be as tall as 300 feet or more. The tallest redwood tree in the world is named Hyperion and reaches 379.7 feet. They have a very long lifespan living up to 2,000 years. They also have a long history, as they showed up on Earth shortly after the dinosaurs and have been around for more than 240 million years. Though they once thrived in all parts of the United States, redwoods are mostly found on the coast from central California to southern oregon.The common names for redwoods are Coast redwood, California redwood, God trees and Giant redwood. The coastal redwood is the most abundant and the biggest. The coast redwoods need a moderate coast type environment to survive with abundant rainfall. All of the redwoods can be identified by the distinctive reddish- brown color to their thick bark.

Magnolia (Magnoliaceae)- The Magnolia tree is comprised in large genus of about 210 flowering plants species. Magnolias are named after French botanist Pierre Magnol. Magnolia trees originate from Southeast Asia and North America but they are known around the world for their beauty.they are ancient plants and have existed on the planet for about 95 million years. Magnolia trees usually grow in acidic soils that are rich in nutrients and in areas that provide enough moisture and direct sunlight.Magnolias have dark green, oval shaped leaves that are covered with layer of wax making for a leathery texture.Magnolias have distinctive flowers about 1- 3 inches wide with fused petals and sepals and the flowers a most- often a white or pinkish color.They do not produce nectar but have pollen enriched with proteins that attract bees.

Weeping Willow(Salix babylonica)-The weeping willow is a large deciduous tree with long, drooping

 branches.These branches are characteristic of these trees and weeping willows are recognized because 

of their canopy type appearance. The branches of the tree will droop down over the ground to create a sort- of curtain around the base of the tree. In the spring, the tree is covered in bright-yellow flowers. The tree is often found around water sources.The weeping willow tree grows best in areas with a lot of natural moisture and it thrives with alot of sun exposure. It can withstand almost any soil type. Weeping willows have large root structures, so they are usually found or planted in places where pavement, cement or foundation and plumbing do not get in the way of their growth.Weeping willows are mainly used for ornamental purposes and shade. 

Lilac shrub(Syringa)- Syringa is a genus of 20-25 species in the olive family- Oleaceae. Lilacs are deciduous, grow as medium to large shrubs or small tree and reach a height of about 4 to 20 feet.The leaves on lilac shrubs are cordate, or heart-shaped. Lilac flowers are fragrant and range in color from white to the characteristic dark purple color.Lilacs have pyramidal clusters of flowers. Lilacs are native to Eastern Europe and Asia and were brought by colonists to america in the 17th century.  A fun fact about lilacs is that they symbolize love and it is strongly associated with the holiday Easter.

Honeysuckle shrub(Lonicera)- Honeysuckles are arching shrubs or twining vines in the family Caprifoliaceae. They are native to the Northern Hemisphere with about 180 species with most being found in China.They bloom in spring to midsummer. Many of the species have sweetly-scented, bilaterally symmetrical flowers or trumpet shaped flowers that produce a sweet, very fragrant and edible nectar. Honeysuckles attract hummingbirds and butterflies to their nectar. Some strains of honeysuckle are becoming an invasive species in the United States but they are still valued as garden plants such as the shrub form or the winter honeysuckle make good hedges and screens.