Santa Cruz Island suncup facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Santa Cruz Island suncup |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Camissoniopsis
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| Species: |
hirtella
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Camissoniopsis hirtella is a special plant. Its common name is the Santa Cruz Island suncup. It belongs to the evening primrose family. This plant is an annual herb. This means it grows, flowers, and dies within one year.
Contents
What is the Santa Cruz Island Suncup?
The Santa Cruz Island suncup is a small plant. It grows from a seed each year. Its stem can reach about half a meter tall. The stem is covered in tiny hairs. This gives it a fuzzy look.
Where Does This Plant Live?
This suncup is native to California and Baja California. It grows in specific places. You can find it on the slopes of hills and mountains. It likes coastal areas. It also grows inland. This plant is often seen in areas that have recently had fires. Fires can clear the ground. This gives the suncup a good place to grow.
How Does This Plant Look?
The Santa Cruz Island suncup has interesting features. Most of its leaves grow near the ground. They form a circle called a basal rosette. These leaves are oval shaped. They are usually a few centimeters long.
The Flowers of the Suncup
The plant's flowers grow in a cluster. This cluster is called an inflorescence. The flowers often nod downwards. Each flower has special parts.
- Sepals: These are small, leaf-like parts. They protect the flower bud. On the suncup, the sepals have long, sticky hairs. These hairs are called glandular hairs.
- Petals: The flowers have bright yellow petals. Each petal is less than a centimeter long. Sometimes, you can see small red dots at the base of the petals. These dots add a splash of color.
The Fruit of the Suncup
After the flower blooms, it forms a fruit. This fruit is a capsule. It can grow up to 2 centimeters long. The capsule has a unique shape. It often coils or twists. Inside the capsule are the plant's seeds.
Life Cycle of the Santa Cruz Island Suncup
As an annual herb, the Santa Cruz Island suncup has a one-year life cycle.
- Germination: Seeds sprout in the cooler, wetter months.
- Growth: The plant grows its basal leaves first. Then, a hairy stem grows upwards.
- Flowering: In spring or early summer, the bright yellow flowers appear.
- Seed Production: After pollination, the coiling capsules form. They hold new seeds.
- Dying Back: Once the seeds are ready, the plant dies. The seeds fall to the ground. They wait for the next season to start the cycle again.
This plant plays a small but important role in its ecosystem. It adds beauty to the hillsides. It also helps new growth after fires.
