Douglas' wood beauty facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Douglas' wood beauty |
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| In Circle X Ranch Park, Santa Monica Mountains, California | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Drymocallis
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| Species: |
glandulosa
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| Synonyms | |
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Potentilla glandulosa Lindl. |
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Drymocallis glandulosa, known by the common name sticky cinquefoil and formerly as Potentilla glandulosa, is a plant species in the family Rosaceae.
It is native to western North America from southwestern Canada through the far western United States and California, into Baja California. It is widespread and can be found in many types of habitats.
Description
Drymocallis glandulosa is generally erect in form but it may be small and tuftlike, measuring just a few centimeters high, or tall and slender, approaching 1 metre (3.3 ft) in height. It may or may not have rhizomes.
It is usually coated in hairs, many of which are glandular, giving the plant a sticky texture. The leaves are each divided into several leaflets, with one long terminal leaflet and a few smaller ones widely spaced on each side.
The inflorescence is a cyme of 2 to 30 flowers which are variable in color and size. Each has usually five petals up to a centimeter long which may be white to pale yellow to gold.
Varieties
It is highly variable and there are many varieties and subspecies, some of which intergrade and are not clearly defined. They include:
- Drymocallis glandulosa var. glandulosa
- Drymocallis glandulosa var. reflexa
- Drymocallis glandulosa var. viscida
- Drymocallis glandulosa var. wrangelliana
Ecology
The plant is more common after its habitat is cleared or disturbed, such as by wildfire, clearcutting, or heavy grazing.
It is an important food for several species of mice, including the western harvest mouse, cactus mouse, and California mouse.
