Cercidiphyllum japonicum

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/cercidiphyllum-japonicum

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the geographic distribution?Native to temperate regions of China and Japan
2. What is the key phenological event?Autumnal leaf fall, accompanied by a distinct sweet aroma
3. What is the Katsura tree and why does it smell like candyfloss?The Katsura tree, also known as Cercidiphyllum japonicum, is a deciduous tree from East Asia. When its leaves fall in autumn, they release a sweet scent that smells like caramel or spun sugar.
4. Where does the Katsura tree grow?It is native to the temperate forests of China and Japan.

Monotypic Family: A taxonomic family containing only one genus.
Abscission: The shedding of parts of a plant, such as leaves or fruits.
Senescence: The process of aging in plants, leading to leaf fall.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Chemicals that easily evaporate into the air, often carrying distinct scents.