Mountain Nine Bark

I meant to talk a little more about the leaves of Physocarpus monogynus. I did say that they resemble the leaves of a currant or a raspberry…they have a toothy or crenate margin, but not only are they are crenate, they are doubly crenate. The teeth have teeth. So when you find this beautiful shrub in a coniferous forest you can say to anyone who will listen, “Look at those doubly crenate leaves.” You are cool! And, what is it about the common name mountain nine bark that strikes a chord with me? It sounds so wild and wonderful. “Call…