Plants

The fruit measured 12 x 8 cm and had a circumference of about 30 cm. The variety from which this giant was bred is called Amaou.

Both trees measure about 40 m (131 ft). Two slightly lower specimens are found in the Netherlands and Germany, with heights of 37 m and 36.9 m respectively (~121 ft).

The separated seeds are pressed to obtain a greenish oil. Most of it is produced in the Mediterranean basin.

It is a very pesky pest, which particularly favors maples. Moreover, it does not have natural predators in North America.

The thin bark that fell off the trunk in winter was widely used as writing paper. Birch paper is extremely durable and was the material from which many ancient Indian texts were made.

It is undemanding, needing only a fair amount of water and adequate sunlight. Leaves are detached from the growing plant, and new leaves appear in their place, in greater numbers.

Pectin swelling in the stomach gives a prolonged feeling of satiety, and therefore pineapples are recommended for people losing weight.

The name derives from Mexicano – the Uto-Aztecan language family –  āhuacatl.

Young specimens have a silver-gray, smooth bark, sometimes with a black, sooty coating. Over time, t ...