California eryngo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids California eryngo |
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| var. parishii | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eryngium
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| Species: |
aristulatum
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Eryngium aristulatum, also known as California eryngo or Jepson's button celery, is a unique flowering plant. It belongs to the carrot family, which is called Apiaceae. This plant gets its common names from its spiky, button-like flowers.
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Where Does California Eryngo Grow?
This plant grows naturally in California and Baja California (which is in Mexico). It loves wet areas like vernal pools (seasonal ponds) and flooded fields. You can find it in many different places. These include redwood forests, oak woodlands, and marshy areas near the coast.
What Does Eryngium Aristulatum Look Like?
Eryngium aristulatum is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It has straight, rounded stems that can grow from about 10 centimeters (4 inches) to almost 1 meter (3 feet) tall. Sometimes, the stems might branch out.
Its leaves grow near the bottom of the plant and along the stem. They are long and have jagged or toothed edges.
The Flowers of Button Celery
The plant's flowers grow in rounded clusters. Each cluster has five to eight long, spiky leaves called bracts around it. These bracts often have spiny edges and can be nearly 3 centimeters (1 inch) long. The flowers themselves have white petals and white or purple parts called styles. This plant usually blooms from June through August.
Different Types of California Eryngo
There are a few different types, or varieties, of Eryngium aristulatum:
- Eryngium aristulatum var. aristulatum: This is the most common type. It is mostly found around the San Francisco Bay Area.
- Eryngium aristulatum var. hooveri (Hoover's button celery): This type grows in the Southern California Coast Ranges. It is a state-listed Critically endangered species, meaning it is very rare and at high risk of disappearing.
- Eryngium aristulatum var. parishii (San Diego button celery): This variety is mainly found in the vernal pools of San Diego County. It is listed as an Endangered species by both the state and federal governments. This means it is also at high risk of extinction.
See also
In Spanish: Eryngium aristulatum para niños
