Pinemat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pinemat |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ceanothus
|
| Species: |
diversifolius
|
The pinemat (scientific name: Ceanothus diversifolius) is a special type of flowering shrub. It gets its common name because it grows flat along the ground, like a mat! This plant is found only in California, USA. You can spot it growing in the oak and pine forests of California's mountain ranges.
What is the Pinemat Plant?
The pinemat is a unique plant that spreads out instead of growing tall. It usually stays very low to the ground, rarely growing taller than 30 centimeters (about 1 foot).
How Does it Grow?
This shrub grows by sprawling its branches across the ground. Its younger branches start out hairy and are a yellow-green color. As they get older, they change to a reddish color.
Its Leaves and Flowers
The pinemat has evergreen leaves, which means they stay green all year round. These leaves are round or oval-shaped and can be up to 5 centimeters (about 2 inches) long. They have tiny saw-like edges and a few small hairs along the sides.
The plant produces small groups of flowers called inflorescences. These flowers can be different shades of blue, or sometimes almost white.
Its Fruit
After the flowers bloom, the pinemat produces a small, smooth, round fruit. This fruit is a capsule, only a few millimeters wide.
