Ellisia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ellisia |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ellisia
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| Species: |
nyctelea
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| Synonyms | |
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Ipomoea nyctelea L. |
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Ellisia is a type of flowering plant that belongs to the forget-me-not family. It has only one known species, called Ellisia nyctelea. This plant grows naturally in North America. People also know it by fun names like Aunt Lucy, false babyblueeyes, or waterpod. The plant's name, Ellisia, honors a British scientist named John Ellis. He was a friend and colleague of the famous plant expert Carl Linnaeus.
About the Aunt Lucy Plant
Ellisia nyctelea is an annual plant. This means it completes its whole life cycle in just one year. It can grow to be about 10 to 40 centimeters (4 to 16 inches) tall.
Leaves and Stems
The plant has a stem that is a bit juicy. The leaves near the bottom of the plant grow in pairs, opposite each other. Higher up on the stem, the leaves grow one after another. The leaves are usually about 10 centimeters (4 inches) long and 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) wide. They are covered in tiny hairs. Each leaf is deeply cut or divided into many smaller parts, usually seven to 13 sections.
Flowers of Ellisia
The flowers of Ellisia nyctelea are quite small. They are about 6 millimeters (1/4 inch) across. These tiny flowers grow on short, thin stalks. They appear where the leaves meet the stem. Each flower has five white or light blue petals. These petals join together at the bottom to form a small tube. Sometimes, the petals have purple streaks or dots. The green part that holds the petals, called the calyx, is also hairy. It has five large, tooth-like sections.
Where Ellisia Nyctelea Grows
Ellisia nyctelea is found all over North America. However, it doesn't grow in far northern Canada or in parts of New England. You also won't find it much in the southeastern or west coast regions of the United States. This plant can grow in different places. It likes open areas where the soil has been disturbed. It also thrives in deciduous forests, which are forests where trees lose their leaves in the fall.
