Eriogonum giganteum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eriogonum giganteum |
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Eriogonum
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giganteum
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Eriogonum giganteum, also known as St. Catherine's lace, is a type of wild buckwheat plant. It grows naturally in Southern California.
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Where St. Catherine's Lace Grows
This plant is a shrub that only grows in a special place. It is found only on the Channel Islands of California. These islands are off the coast of Southern California.
St. Catherine's lace lives in a kind of natural area called Coastal sage scrub. This habitat is part of the Coastal sage and chaparral region.
One special type of this plant is called Eriogonum giganteum var. compactum. It is also known as the Santa Barbara Island buckwheat. This type is very rare and only grows on Santa Barbara Island.
What St. Catherine's Lace Looks Like
Eriogonum giganteum can be different sizes. It can be as small as 0.5 metres (1.6 ft) tall and wide. Or, it can grow into a large, rounded bush over 3 metres (9.8 ft) high and wide.
Its leaves are tough and feel a bit like wool. They are oval-shaped and gray. The leaves grow in small groups along the branches, which are mostly bare. This plant stays green all year long.
When it flowers, tall, strong stems grow up from the plant. These stems hold wide, dome-shaped blooms. These blooms are covered with many tiny white flowers. Each flower is only a few millimeters across and has small hairs. As the flowers get older, they change color to a rusty red.
Types of St. Catherine's Lace
There are a few different types, or varieties, of St. Catherine's lace:
- Eriogonum giganteum var. compactum — This is the Santa Barbara Island buckwheat. It is rare and only found on Santa Barbara Island.
- Eriogonum giganteum var. formosum — This type is called San Clemente Island buckwheat. It grows on San Clemente Island.
- Eriogonum giganteum var. giganteum — This is the Santa Catalina Island buckwheat. You can find it on Santa Catalina Island.
Growing St. Catherine's Lace
People often grow Eriogonum giganteum in their gardens. It is used as an ornamental plant because it looks beautiful. It is also good for native plant gardens and drought-tolerant gardens. This means it does not need much water.
It is also great for wildlife gardens. Its flowers attract many different pollinators, like bees and butterflies. It is known as a honey plant because it provides nectar for these insects. Many native California butterflies especially love this plant.
The flowers, leaves, and seeds of St. Catherine's lace are also used by many smaller animals.
See also
In Spanish: Eriogonum giganteum para niños
