Chenopodium littoreum facts for kids

Chenopodium littoreum is a special and rare flowering plant. It belongs to the Amaranthaceae family, which includes many common plants like spinach and quinoa! This plant is found only in California, specifically along parts of the central coastline. You can find it growing in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties.

Discovering a New Plant

For a long time, people thought this plant was actually a different species from South America. That plant was called Chenopodium carnosulum. But scientists noticed some important differences.

They studied Chenopodium littoreum very carefully. They looked at its leaves, flowers, and how it grew. In 2010, they officially announced that it was a brand new species! This means it's unique and special to California.

What Does It Look Like?

Chenopodium littoreum is an annual herb. This means it lives for only one growing season. It grows low to the ground, forming flat, spreading mats. You can often find these mats on sandy dunes along the coast.

Its Leaves

The leaves of this plant are shaped like a spearhead or an oval. They grow on short stalks, which are called petioles. The leaves are usually smooth, but sometimes they might have a few small bumps or lobes. They are a light green color and often look like they are covered in a fine, powdery dust.

Its Flowers

The flowers of Chenopodium littoreum are tiny! They are only about one millimeter across, which is smaller than the tip of a pencil. Each flower consistently has five bright yellow stamens. Stamens are the parts of the flower that produce pollen.