Folded calicoflower facts for kids

Downingia ornatissima is a beautiful wild flower. It is often called the folded calicoflower. This plant belongs to the bellflower family. You can only find this special flower in California. It loves to grow in wet areas. These include places like vernal pools in the Central Valley.

What is a Vernal Pool?

A vernal pool is a special kind of wetland. It fills with water during the rainy season. Then it dries up completely later in the year. Many unique plants and animals live in these pools. They are adapted to these changing conditions. Downingia ornatissima is one of these amazing plants.

How Does This Flower Grow?

The folded calicoflower is an annual plant. This means it grows from a seed, flowers, produces new seeds, and then dies all within one year. It grows a straight stem that can have many branches. Each branch usually has one pretty flower at its top.

What Does the Flower Look Like?

The flowers of Downingia ornatissima are quite unique. They have two main parts, like lips:

• Upper Lip: This part has two narrow, pointed sections. They are usually a light purple color. These sections often curl back a bit.
• Lower Lip: This part is made of three sections joined together. It is the same light purple color as the upper lip. In the middle of the lower lip, there is a white area. This white area has two bright yellow bumps that stick out.

The flower looks similar to other downingia flowers. However, it has a slightly crinkled look. The edges of its lower lip are often uneven. You can also see a dark blue part called an anther. It just peeks out from between the upper purple sections.