Divaricate phacelia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Divaricate phacelia |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Boraginales |
| Family: | Boraginaceae |
| Genus: | Phacelia |
| Species: |
P. divaricata
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| Phacelia divaricata |
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The Phacelia divaricata is a beautiful wild flower often called the divaricate phacelia. It is a special plant because it grows only in California. You can find it in the hills and mountains near the San Francisco Bay Area and further north along the coast. This plant likes to grow in different places like chaparral, woodlands, and grasslands.
What is Phacelia Divaricata?
This plant is an annual herb. This means it grows from a seed, blooms, makes new seeds, and then dies all within one year. Its stem can grow up to 40 centimeters tall, which is about 16 inches. The stem can either stand straight up or spread out along the ground.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of the divaricate phacelia are about 8 centimeters long. They are shaped like an oval and can have smooth edges or small lobes. The plant has many tiny hairs on its leaves and stem.
The flowers grow in a special cluster called an inflorescence. This cluster is often curved or coiled, like a snail's shell. Each flower looks like a small funnel or a bell. They are usually pale lavender in color and are about 1 to 1.5 centimeters long.
Where it Grows
The divaricate phacelia is endemic to California. This means it naturally lives only in this state and nowhere else in the world. It thrives in several natural habitats:
- Chaparral: A type of shrubland with dense, tough shrubs.
- Woodlands: Areas with many trees, but not as dense as a forest.
- Grasslands: Open areas covered mostly by grasses.
