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, also known as the sticky cinquefoil, is a type of plant in the rose family. It used to be called Potentilla glandulosa.
This plant grows naturally across western North America. You can find it from southwestern Canada, through the western United States and California, all the way down to Baja California in Mexico. It lives in many different kinds of places.
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What is Sticky Cinquefoil?
The sticky cinquefoil plant can look very different. It might be small and bushy, only a few centimeters tall. Or, it can grow tall and thin, reaching up to about 1 metre (3.3 ft) (3 feet) high.
Why is it Sticky?
This plant usually has many hairs covering it. Many of these hairs are "glandular," meaning they produce a sticky substance. This is why the plant feels sticky to the touch!
Its leaves are divided into several smaller parts called leaflets. There is one long leaflet at the end, and a few smaller ones spaced out on each side.
Sticky Cinquefoil Flowers
The sticky cinquefoil produces groups of 2 to 30 flowers. These flowers can vary in color and size. Each flower usually has five petals. The petals can be white, pale yellow, or even gold. They can grow up to about one centimeter long.
Different Types of Sticky Cinquefoil
This plant is very diverse, meaning it has many different forms. Scientists have identified several varieties and subspecies. Some of these types can even blend into each other, making them hard to tell apart.
Some of the known varieties include:
- Drymocallis glandulosa var. glandulosa
- Drymocallis glandulosa var. reflexa
- Drymocallis glandulosa var. viscida
- Drymocallis glandulosa var. wrangelliana
Where Does it Grow?
The sticky cinquefoil often grows more easily after its natural home has been changed. This can happen after events like wildfires, when trees are cut down (called clearcutting), or when many animals graze in an area.
Food for Small Animals
This plant is an important food source for several types of mice. These include the western harvest mouse, the cactus mouse, and the California mouse.
