White eardrops facts for kids
Quick facts for kids White eardrops |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ehrendorferia
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| Species: |
ochroleuca
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| Synonyms | |
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Dicentra ochroleuca Engelm. |
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Ehrendorferia ochroleuca, often called white eardrops or yellow bleeding-heart, is a unique plant. It can be a biennial (meaning it lives for two years) or a perennial (meaning it lives for many years). This plant grows naturally in rocky areas within the chaparral and woodlands of California and Baja California. It was once known by the name Dicentra ochroleuca.
About the White Eardrops Plant
Stems and Leaves
The stems and leaves of the white eardrops plant have a cool, bluish-green color, which scientists call glaucous. The stems can grow quite tall, usually between 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) high. The tallest one ever recorded was an amazing 4 m (13 ft)! This makes it the tallest plant in its family, the Fumarioideae.
The leaves are divided into many smaller parts, usually two to four times. In its first year, the plant's leaves grow in a flat, circular shape close to the ground, called a basal rosette. Later, leaves also grow on the flowering stems.
Beautiful Flowers
The flowers of the white eardrops plant face upwards and grow in round clusters at the very top of the stems. Each flower has two round outer leaf-like parts called sepals. It also has four dull white petals, which have purple tips.
The two outer petals are shaped like pouches at their base and curve outwards at the top. The two inner petals are joined together at their tips and stick out from between the outer petals. Unlike a similar plant, Ehrendorferia chrysantha, these flowers don't have any smell. Hummingbirds love to visit these flowers to drink their sweet nectar.
Seeds and How They Grow
The seeds of the white eardrops plant are very tiny and have a bumpy surface. They are found inside a rounded seed pod that is about 1–3 cm (0.39–1.18 in) long. This pod tapers to a point at both ends.
Unlike many other plants in its family, these seeds do not have a special part called an elaiosome. This part usually helps ants carry the seeds away. White eardrops seeds don't easily sprout unless they have been exposed to smoke. When people grow them, they often use a liquid smoke extract to help the seeds germinate.
