Butterworth's buckwheat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Butterworth's buckwheat |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eriogonum
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| Species: |
butterworthianum
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Eriogonum butterworthianum, also known as Butterworth's buckwheat, is a very rare plant. It is a type of wild buckwheat. This special plant is found in only one small area in California.
What is Butterworth's Buckwheat?
Butterworth's buckwheat is a unique plant. It is part of a group of plants called wild buckwheats. These plants are known for their small, often colorful flowers. Butterworth's buckwheat is considered rare. This means there are not many of these plants left in the world.
Where Does This Rare Plant Live?
This plant is endemic to a specific place. This means it grows naturally only in that one area. Butterworth's buckwheat lives in the Santa Lucia Mountains. These mountains are in central Monterey County, California.
You can find it in the wild areas southeast of Big Sur. It grows near a place called Junipero Serra Peak. This plant likes to grow in certain types of places. It lives in woodlands and chaparral habitats. Chaparral is a type of shrubland with tough, woody plants. It especially likes soils that are made of sandstone.
What Does Butterworth's Buckwheat Look Like?
Butterworth's buckwheat is a small plant. It grows as a clumpy shrub or subshrub. It usually reaches about 30 centimeters (about 12 inches) tall and wide. That's about the size of a school ruler!
- Leaves: The leaves are reddish-green. They feel a bit woolly. They are oval in shape. The edges of the leaves are curled under. Each leaf is up to 2 centimeters long.
- Flowers: The flowers grow in a cluster. This cluster is called an inflorescence. It can be 2 to 3 centimeters wide. Each tiny flower is only a few millimeters wide. They are usually a dull yellowish to pinkish color.
