common ninebark
ExplorePlants
common ninebark
Physocarpus opulifolius
Common ninebark is a lovely shrub that has pretty leaves and fluffy white flowers in spring. It can grow tall and is great for gardens, attracting butterflies and bees!
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The common ninebark is a medium to large shrub with distinctive peeling, shaggy bark in shades of brown and reddish-brown. It has clusters of small white to pinkish flowers and green leaves that often turn purple or bronze in fall.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRosalesFamilyRosaceaeGenusPhysocarpus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Indigenous peoples traditionally used ninebark for some medicinal purposes!
Its tough roots help prevent soil erosion on riverbanks and hillsides!
The plant’s strong branches were once used to make bows and arrow shafts!
You can find ninebark growing naturally from Canada all the way to Florida!
Special abilities
Ability
Peeling Protection
Common ninebark has bark that peels in layers, helping it shed disease and adapt to harsh weather changes to survive.
Ability
Pollinator Beacon
Its clusters of small white flowers attract various bees and other insects, helping it reproduce by spreading pollen.
Ability
Tough Root Anchor
Ninebark develops a strong root system that helps anchor soil, preventing erosion along riverbanks and slopes.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 150-300 cm
- Spread
- 150-300 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.5-1 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to early summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
eats
white-tailed deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Deer often browse on the foliage and twigs.
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
Honey bees visit flowers for nectar and pollen.
eaten by
American robin
Turdus migratorius
Robins consume the small red fruit (follicles).
pollinates
common eastern bumble bee
Bombus impatiens
Bumble bees are important pollinators of its flowers.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Ornamental
Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Fruit Bearing
Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always stay on paths when exploring plants and don't eat anything without asking an adult.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is common ninebark?
150-300 cm
How wide does common ninebark spread?
150-300 cm
How big are the flowers on common ninebark?
0.5-1 cm
When does common ninebark bloom?
Late spring to early summer
Is common ninebark edible?
No
Is common ninebark toxic?
Mild
What is common ninebark's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is common ninebark pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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