Curlyleaf monardella facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Curlyleaf monardella |
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Scientific classification | |
Genus: |
Monardella
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Species: |
undulata
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Monardella undulata, also known as the curlyleaf monardella, is a special flowering plant. It belongs to the mint family. This plant is quite uncommon, meaning you won't find it everywhere.
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Where Does It Live?
The curlyleaf monardella is found only along the coast of California. It grows from Sonoma County all the way down to Santa Barbara County. This plant likes several types of coastal homes, including sandy dunes, coastal sage scrub areas, chaparral (a type of shrubland), and even forests.
What Does It Look Like?
The curlyleaf monardella is an annual herb. This means it grows, flowers, and dies within one year. It usually has a reddish stem that stands upright. This stem can grow up to about 0.5 meters (about 1.6 feet) tall.
Its leaves are quite unique. They are thick and have wavy edges, which is how it gets the name "curlyleaf." These leaves grow in groups along the stem.
The plant's flowers grow in a cluster, forming a "head." This flower head sits in a small cup made of special leaves called bracts. These bracts can sometimes have a purple tint. The flowers themselves are purple and can be up to 2 centimeters (about 0.8 inches) long.
Different Kinds of Curlyleaf Monardella
Just like there can be different types of apples, there are different kinds of curlyleaf monardella. These are called subspecies. Each subspecies is slightly different and often found in specific locations:
- Monardella undulata ssp. arguelloensis: This type is only found in Point Arguello in Santa Barbara County.
- Monardella undulata ssp. crispa: You can find this one in coastal sage scrub areas. It lives in northern Santa Barbara County and southern San Luis Obispo County.
- Monardella undulata ssp. undulata: This subspecies also lives in coastal sage scrub habitats. It's found in northern Santa Barbara and southern San Luis Obispo Counties.
Why Is It Important?
The curlyleaf monardella faces threats that harm its coastal home. Things like sand mining can damage its habitat. Also, other plants that are not native to the area can grow and compete with it for space and resources.
This plant is super important for an endangered butterfly called the Myrtle's silverspot butterfly (Speyeria zerene myrtleae). This butterfly relies on the curlyleaf monardella for food, drinking its sweet nectar. Protecting this plant helps protect the butterfly too!