Wenatchee larkspur facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wenatchee larkspur |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Delphinium
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| Species: |
viridescens
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The Delphinium viridescens, also known as the Wenatchee larkspur, is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the buttercup family. This special plant is found only in a small area of central Washington state in the United States. You can find it growing in the Wenatchee Mountains, specifically in Chelan and Kittitas Counties.
Contents
What Does the Wenatchee Larkspur Look Like?
This plant is a perennial herb, which means it grows back every year from underground stems called rhizomes. It can have several hollow stems that grow very tall, sometimes reaching up to 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) or even 2 meters (about 6.5 feet). The upper parts of the plant are covered in tiny yellow bumps called glands.
The leaves in the middle of the stem are divided into three parts, shaped like wedges. Each of these parts is then divided again into even smaller, narrow, and pointy sections. Leaves that grow higher up on the stem are long and thin.
Flowers and Pollination
The flowers of the Wenatchee larkspur grow in a dense cluster called a raceme. There can be as many as 80 flowers in one cluster! Each flower sits on a small stalk up to 2 centimeters (about 0.8 inches) long. The outer parts of the flower, called sepals, are purplish with a hint of yellow-green. The smaller petals inside are purple or yellow. The sepals are almost 1 centimeter long, and the spur (a part of the flower) can be a bit longer than 1 centimeter.
Most Delphinium plants are pollinated by hummingbirds and bumblebees. However, the Wenatchee larkspur is only visited by bumblebees. Scientists have studied this plant's genes and found that it has a lot of different genetic traits.
Where Does the Wenatchee Larkspur Live?
This plant likes to grow in places that are moist to wet. You can find it in coniferous forests and along rivers, in what are called riparian areas. The soil where it grows often does not drain water very well. This means the ground can stay wet or even be covered in water until early summer.
The Wenatchee larkspur is also good at surviving in areas where fires happen often. If the parts of the plant above ground burn away, it can grow back from its underground rhizomes. This helps it survive and thrive in its natural habitat.
Protecting the Wenatchee Larkspur
As of the year 2000, scientists knew about 21 different groups, or populations, of this plant. All of these populations are found in a small area, about 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) long and 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) wide.
The Wenatchee larkspur faces several challenges that threaten its survival. These include:
- Loss of its home (habitat) due to new houses being built.
- Changes in the local water flow, known as hydrology.
- Logging, which is when trees are cut down.
- Grazing by animals, which means animals eating the plants.
Efforts are being made to protect this unique plant and its habitat so it can continue to grow for many years to come.
