Elegant clarkia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elegant clarkia |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Clarkia
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| Species: |
unguiculata
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Clarkia unguiculata is a beautiful wildflower often called elegant clarkia or mountain garland. This plant is special because it grows only in California. You can find it in many different habitats, especially in oak woodlands. It often grows on the forest floor alongside other wildflowers like Calochortus luteus, Cynoglossum grande, and Delphinium variegatum.
What is Elegant Clarkia?
Elegant clarkia is a plant that can grow up to a meter (about 3 feet) tall. It has a thin, smooth, and slightly waxy stem. Its leaves are narrow and appear here and there along the stem.
The Flowers of Elegant Clarkia
The flowers of the elegant clarkia are quite eye-catching!
- They have fuzzy, joined sepals that form a cup right under the petals.
- Each flower has four petals, which are about one to 2.5 centimeters long.
- These petals look like small paddles and can be pink, reddish, or purple. They are often diamond-shaped or triangular.
- Inside the flower, there are eight long stamens. The four outer stamens have large red parts called anthers.
- The stigma, which is the part that receives pollen, sticks out from the flower and can be quite big.
How Elegant Clarkia Gets Pollinated
Most Clarkia flowers, including the elegant clarkia, are pollinated by special kinds of bees. These bees live in the same areas where the clarkia plants grow. Interestingly, Clarkia plants have also learned to pollinate themselves. Scientists have found that 12 different types of Clarkia have developed this ability to self-pollinate.
