Dendromecon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dendromecon |
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| Dendromecon rigida | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Ranunculales |
| Family: | Papaveraceae |
| Subfamily: | Papaveroideae |
| Tribe: | Eschscholzieae |
| Genus: | Dendromecon Benth. |
| Species | |
The Dendromecon, also known as the tree poppy, is a group of plants that are usually shrubs, but can sometimes grow into small trees. These plants are native to California in the United States and the northern part of Baja California in Mexico.
What is a Tree Poppy?
Tree poppies are special because they are evergreen, meaning their leaves stay green all year round. Their leaves grow in an alternating pattern along the stem and are usually shaped like a spear or an egg. They can be about 3 to 10 centimeters (about 1 to 4 inches) long.
The flowers of the tree poppy are bright yellow and have a shiny, satiny look. After the flowers are pollinated (which is how plants make seeds), they shed their petals.
Types of Tree Poppies
Scientists generally agree that there are two main types, or species, of Dendromecon. However, some plant experts think they might just be different varieties of the same species. Let's learn about them:
Channel Island Tree Poppy
- Dendromecon harfordii (also called D. rigida subsp. harfordii)
This type of tree poppy is known as the Channel Island tree poppy. It's a larger plant that can sometimes grow into a small tree, reaching up to 6 meters (about 20 feet) tall. Its leaves are wider, usually less than three times as long as they are wide. You can only find this plant on the Channel Islands of California, which are islands off the coast of California. When a plant or animal is only found in one specific place, it's called endemic.
Bush Poppy
The bush poppy is a smaller plant. It rarely grows taller than 3 meters (about 10 feet). Its leaves are narrower, usually more than three times as long as they are wide. You can find the bush poppy on the mainland of California, especially in the Pacific Coast Ranges and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It also grows in northern Baja California, Mexico.
See also
In Spanish: Dendromecon para niños
