Androsace americana facts for kids

The Mackenzie River dwarf primrose is a small, beautiful flowering plant. Its scientific name is Androsace americana. It is also known by an older name, Douglasia arctica. This plant is part of the primrose family, which scientists call Primulaceae. You can find it growing in the cold, northern areas of North America, including Alaska, the Northwest Territories, and Yukon.

How Plants Get Their Names

Scientists give every living thing a special two-part name, like a first and last name. This helps everyone around the world know exactly which plant or animal they are talking about. This is called its scientific name.

The Story Behind the Name

• A scientist named William Jackson Hooker first described this plant in 1838. He gave it the name Douglasia arctica.
• Later, scientists used new methods, like studying the plant's DNA (its genetic code), to understand how different plants are related. This field is called molecular phylogenetics.
• These studies showed that the group of plants called Douglasia actually fit inside a larger group called Androsace.
• Because of this, the plant's name needed to change to Androsace.
• However, there was already another plant that had been given the name "Androsace arctica" way back in 1826. To avoid confusion, a new name was needed for our Mackenzie River dwarf primrose.
• So, in 1961, a scientist named Per Wendelbo gave it the new replacement name, Androsace americana. This is the name we use today.