Sapphire woollystar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sapphire woollystar |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eriastrum
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| Species: |
sapphirinum
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The Sapphire Woollystar (Eriastrum sapphirinum) is a beautiful wildflower. It belongs to the phlox family. This plant is special because it is endemic to California. This means it grows naturally only in California.
Contents
Discovering the Sapphire Woollystar
The Sapphire Woollystar is a type of flowering plant. It is known for its pretty blue flowers. The plant gets its name "woollystar" from the soft, woolly hairs on its stems.
Where Does It Grow?
You can find the Sapphire Woollystar in many different places across California. It grows in various natural environments. This plant is an annual, which means it completes its whole life cycle in just one year.
What Does It Look Like?
This wildflower can grow to be between 5 and 40 centimeters tall. That's about 2 to 16 inches. It might grow in small groups or as a single, thin stem. The stem can be reddish or green.
Stems and Leaves
The stems stand up straight. They might have a few thin leaves. These leaves can have a few hairs or be covered in thick, woolly fuzz. This woolly coat helps protect the plant.
The Flowers
The flowers grow in clusters at the top of the stems. These clusters are called inflorescences. Each cluster is packed with pointed, leaf-like parts called bracts. These bracts can be green or red.
The flowers themselves are shaped like funnels. Each flower has five petals, called lobes. These lobes are about half to one centimeter long. They can be pale blue or a bright, vibrant blue.
Flower Details
The inside part of the flower, called the throat, is usually the same blue color. Sometimes it can be yellowish or white. You might even see small yellow and white dots near the opening of the flower. The light-colored stamens, which hold the pollen, stick out from the flower.
