Common twinpod facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Common twinpod
Conservation status
Secure (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Physaria
Species:	didymocarpa

Physaria didymocarpa, also known as the common twinpod, is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the mustard family, just like the mustard plants you might know! This plant grows naturally in western North America. You can find it in places like British Columbia and Alberta in Canada, and also in the northwestern parts of the United States.

Discovering the Common Twinpod Plant

What Does the Common Twinpod Look Like?

The common twinpod is a perennial herb, which means it lives for more than two years. It grows several stems that usually lie on the ground but have tips that point upwards. These stems grow from a thick, hairy base called a caudex.

The stems are about 10 centimetres (3.9 in) (4 inches) long. They have leaves shaped like a spear, measuring one to two centimeters (about half an inch) long.

At the ends of the stems, you'll find groups of bright yellow flowers. These flower clusters are very dense. Each flower has petals that are about one centimeter (less than half an inch) long.

The Unique Fruit of the Twinpod

After the flowers bloom, the plant produces a special kind of fruit. This fruit is called a silicle. It's like a small, inflated pod, up to 2 centimetres (0.79 in) (0.8 inches) long and 2 centimetres (0.79 in) (0.8 inches) wide. The fruit can feel firm or papery, and it has a fuzzy texture.

Different Types of Common Twinpod

There are three main types, or subspecies, of the common twinpod plant:

• The ssp. lanata type grows in Montana and Wyoming.
• The ssp. lyrata type is special because it has very inflated, papery fruits. This type is endemic to Idaho, meaning it's found only there.