A shrub is a plant with a woody but not predominant trunk.
Shrub is a noun that refers to a type of plant characterized by having a woody but not predominant trunk , which begins to branch at its base and does not reach a height greater than five meters.
Regarding its etymological origin, it is found in the Latin arbustum , which can be translated as “planted with trees.” A word that comes from the verb arbustare (synonymous with “planting trees” ) and which, in turn, emanates from the noun arbos (equivalent to “tree” ).
Shrub characteristics
In addition to all of the above, we can point out that the shrubs can be found both evergreen and deciduous .
Based on these characteristics, it is possible to differentiate shrubs from trees , which have a larger diameter trunk, branch in their upper sector and can measure more than one hundred meters in height.
Beyond these differentiations, the concepts are often confused, even with others such as subshrubs or woody bushes . Additionally, some shrubs can grow like trees depending on the context.
The ecosystem that has numerous shrubs is called scrub . Also called bushes , bushes can be dangerous for the development of human communities since they catch fire quite easily due to their characteristics.
A thicket or bush is an ecosystem where shrubs predominate.
Ornamental use
Pittosporum tobira , Butia paraguayensis and Hibiscus splendens are some of the shrubs that are used for ornamental purposes. Combined with other plants, shrubs often decorate gardens, parks and other public spaces.
Regarding its use at a decorative level, we can establish a series of interesting data:
- Aromatics are those used to ensure that the result has a pleasant aroma.
- There are other varieties that are used because they have fruits that, on a decorative level, are attractive. We are referring, for example, to the strawberry tree, the pomegranate tree and the cotoneaster.
- No less relevant is the fact that, when it comes to achieving certain specific shades, there is a wide variety of shrubs to use. And there are those that have green leaves, those that have yellow ones, those that have others that are gray...
- Other shrubs are in high demand due to the fact that they have a truly original and attractive shape. This would be the case, for example, of dwarf conifers .
Shrub Energy
Arbusto Energy , on the other hand, was the name of an energy company that George W. Bush (former president of the United States ) founded in 1977 . The name of the company arises from the translation of the word “bush” into Spanish, since the term means “bush” .
Some researchers claim that Arbusto Energy had a close relative of terrorist Osama bin Laden among its partners. This fact generated a commotion since George W. Bush blamed the terrorist network Al Qaeda (led by Bin Laden ) for the attacks committed on September 11, 2001 in the United States.