::
Lyonothamnus floribundus ::
Catalina Ironwood
A member of the Rosaceae or rose family, the Catalina ironwood is an evergreen tree native to the Channel Islands off the coast of Santa Barbara , California . It grows to heights of 60 feet and spreads of 15 feet. It is also known as Lyonwood.
Lyonothamnus floribundus has red-brown or gray bark that peels off in long, thin strips. These strips hang off the trunk, giving the tree a shaggy appearance. The leaves are 4-6 inches long, deep green on the upper surface and gray and hairy on the lower. They are divided into 3-7 notched or lobed leaflets. The flowers, small and white in flat 8-18 inch clusters, bloom in late spring or early summer.
Though it now only appears on 4 of the 8 Channel Islands , fossil and pollen evidence suggests that the Catalina ironwood used to be prevalent on the mainland. The Catalina ironwoods that still exist today are being threatened by grazing. It is commercially available for purchase, though, and has been used as a street tree in residential areas. |
