Parry's mallow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Parry's mallow |
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| subsp. parryi | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eremalche
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| Species: |
parryi
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Eremalche parryi, also called Parry's mallow, is a pretty flowering plant. It belongs to the mallow family, just like cotton or hibiscus. This plant grows only in California, which means it is endemic there. You can find it in different natural areas, from the Diablo Range to the California Coast Ranges and the Transverse Ranges. It also grows in the San Joaquin Valley.
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About Parry's Mallow
Eremalche parryi is a type of plant called an annual herb. This means it lives for only one growing season. It can grow up to half a meter tall, which is about 20 inches.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of Parry's mallow are usually up to 5 centimeters (about 2 inches) long. They are divided into several parts, and each part has a small tooth-like tip.
The flowers of this plant grow in a few places. You can find them where the leaves meet the stem, or sometimes at the very top of the stem. The flowers can be different sizes. Their petals can be as small as half a centimeter or as long as 2.5 centimeters. That's about 0.2 to 1 inch. The petals can be white, light purple, or pink.
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Different Kinds of Parry's Mallow
Scientists sometimes divide plant species into smaller groups called subspecies. These groups are very similar but have small differences, often based on where they grow. Parry's mallow has two main subspecies.
Kern Mallow (Eremalche parryi ssp. kernensis)
The Kern mallow is a special and rare plant. It is known mostly from western Kern County, California. You can find it near a small town called McKittrick. It also grows in the Carrizo Plain National Monument in eastern San Luis Obispo County, California.
Some scientists think Kern mallow is its own separate species, called Eremalche kernensis. Others see it as part of a larger group of mallows. Its exact classification is still being studied.
Protecting Kern Mallow
No matter how it is classified, Kern mallow is an endangered species. This means it is at risk of disappearing forever. Many things threaten its survival.
- Water Projects: The California Aqueduct is a large system that moves water. Its construction and how it affects the land around it can harm the Kern mallow's natural home.
- Farming: The San Joaquin Valley where it grows is a big farming area. Activities like grazing animals, using pesticides, and changing land for farms can hurt the plants.
Parry's Mallow (Eremalche parryi ssp. parryi)
This is the other main subspecies of Parry's mallow. It is the more common type and is found in many of the areas mentioned earlier in California.
