Flowering trees?
Normally when we think of flowering trees we think of the various showy colors of crabapples, the bright pink of saucer magnolias or the white of the bradford pears. Rarely do we think of the less obvious flowers of species like the silver maple that are in full bloom right now in southeast Michigan.
Flowers are the reproductive organs of trees. Flowers that contain both male and female parts are called perfect while those containing only male or female parts are referred to as imperfect. When both male and female flowers exist on the same plant, such as black walnut, river birch or white oak, it is considered monoecious. If dioecious, each plant has only male or female flowers. Ash, boxelder, cottonwood, juniper, mulberry, yew and holly are dioecious. Flowers can be solitary or arranged in a cluster along a stem (inflorescence). The type of arrangement determines the name of the flower such as a raceme, spike, or catkin.
Pollination occurs when pollen is transferred to female flower parts either by wind, as is the case with most conifers, or by insects and animals. Many plants have developed brightly colored flowers or strong scents to attract pollinators. Pollen is also one of main causes of allergies in humans. As we go through the spring and your allergies are acting up it means that plants, including trees, are in bloom. This spring take a closer look at trees such as norway maples, oaks, willows and hickories to find some very beautiful and rarely noticed flowers in your yard.
Normally when we think of flowering trees we think of the various showy colors of crabapples, the bright pink of saucer magnolias or the white of the bradford pears. Rarely do we think of the less obvious flowers of species like the silver maple that are in full bloom right now in southeast Michigan.
Flowers are the reproductive organs of trees. Flowers that contain both male and female parts are called perfect while those containing only male or female parts are referred to as imperfect. When both male and female flowers exist on the same plant, such as black walnut, river birch or white oak, it is considered monoecious. If dioecious, each plant has only male or female flowers. Ash, boxelder, cottonwood, juniper, mulberry, yew and holly are dioecious. Flowers can be solitary or arranged in a cluster along a stem (inflorescence). The type of arrangement determines the name of the flower such as a raceme, spike, or catkin.
Pollination occurs when pollen is transferred to female flower parts either by wind, as is the case with most conifers, or by insects and animals. Many plants have developed brightly colored flowers or strong scents to attract pollinators. Pollen is also one of main causes of allergies in humans. As we go through the spring and your allergies are acting up it means that plants, including trees, are in bloom. This spring take a closer look at trees such as norway maples, oaks, willows and hickories to find some very beautiful and rarely noticed flowers in your yard.
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| Red maple tree in flower. |
