Plant of the Month

March’s Plant of the Month

LATIN NAME: Parrotia persica

COMMON NAME: Persian Ironwood

FAMILY: Hamamelidaceae

TYPE: Deciduous tree

ORIGIN: Northern Iran, Caucacus

LOCATION AT BLOEDEL RESERVE: Birch Trail and Mid Pond

GARDEN USES: Fall Color, Foundation Planting

FUN FACT: The genus name, Parrotia persica, honors F.W. Parrot, who was a German naturalist and traveler who climbed Mount Ararat in 1834.

You may recognize this month’s choice as a previous Plant Pick from the Fall due to its stunning fall color. We couldn’t resist choosing it again, this time because of its apetalous flowers that show off this time of year! Be sure to stop and look closely at the swollen flower buds that are beginning to open, revealing red clusters of stamens within brownish bracts.