Shortstalk stinkweed facts for kids

Cleomella brevipes is a special plant with flowers that belongs to the cleome family. It is often called shortstalk stinkweed because of its short flower stalks and a smell that some people might not like. This plant grows naturally in the Mojave Desert and the hills nearby. You can find it in wet places with special soil, like around desert hot springs that have lots of minerals.

What is Shortstalk Stinkweed?

This plant is an annual herb, which means it lives for only one year. It has a stem that can grow up to about 45 centimeters (about 1.5 feet) tall. The stem feels a bit rough, looks waxy, and is usually red.

Leaves and Flowers

The stem has many small, thick leaves. Each leaf is split into three smaller parts, like a tiny clover. The flowers grow where the leaves meet the stem, all the way from the top to the bottom of the plant. Each flower sits on a short, straight stalk called a pedicel.

The flowers themselves are tiny and yellow. They have four small parts that protect the flower, called sepals, and four small yellow petals.

Fruits of the Plant

After the flower blooms, a fruit starts to grow where the flower used to be. This fruit is a roundish, hanging pod, also known as a capsule. It holds the seeds for the next generation of plants.