bird-catcher tree

Pisonia umbellifera

The bird-catcher tree (Pisonia umbellifera), also known as the catching tree, is a species of flowering plant native to tropical regions, primarily in the Caribbean and parts of South America. Its bark is a grey-brown colour and its leaves are dark-green with a slight glossy sheen. It grows well in a variety of soils and thrives in full sun or partial shade. This unique plant is so named because its sticky seeds help to catch unsuspecting birds. The birds then act as a transport system for the plant's spores, helping it spread and succeed in new habitats.