Physocarpus

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Physocarpus
Physocarpus opulifolius
Physocarpus opulifolius
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Subfamily: Spiraeoideae
Genus: Physocarpus Maxim.
Species

See text

Physocarpus (Ninebark) is a genus of about ten species of flowering plants in the family Rosaceae, native to North America (most of the species) and northeastern Asia (one species).

They are deciduous shrubs growing to 1-3 m tall. The name comes from the appearance of the bark, which is flaky, peeling away in many layers. The leaves are maple-like, palmately lobed, 3-15 cm long and broad, with an irregularly serrated margin. The flowers are white with five petals and numerous stamens, produced in corymbs. The fruit is a cluster of inflated follicles, which turn dry and brown and then split open to release the seeds.

Selected species
  • Physocarpus alternans (Dwarf Ninebark)
  • Physocarpus amurensis (Asian Ninebark)
  • Physocarpus bracteatus
  • Physocarpus capitatus (Pacific Ninebark)
  • Physocarpus glabratus
  • Physocarpus malvaceus (Mallow Ninebark)
  • Physocarpus monogynus (Mountain Ninebark)
  • Physocarpus opulifolius (Common Ninebark)

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