Desert trumpet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Desert trumpet |
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| The inflated stem is distinctive. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eriogonum
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| Species: |
inflatum
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The desert trumpet (scientific name: Eriogonum inflatum) is a special plant that lives for many years, known as a perennial plant. It belongs to the plant family called Polygonaceae. This plant has tiny yellow or pink flowers. Its most unique feature is a puffy, swollen stem right below where the branches split off.
You can find the desert trumpet growing in dry places like the Mojave Desert and other deserts. Its scientific name, Eriogonum, comes from Greek words meaning "wool" and "joint," but this plant doesn't have woolly joints like some of its relatives.
Why is the Desert Trumpet's Stem Swollen?
The desert trumpet is famous for its big, balloon-like stem. For a long time, people thought this swelling was caused by tiny insects called gall wasps. They believed that a female wasp would make a small hole in the stem. Then, she would fill the space with larvae (baby insects) and lay her eggs on them. This would give the young wasps food and a safe home. It was thought that the plant's reaction to this process made the stem grow bigger over time.
However, newer research has shown something different! Scientists now believe the swollen stem is actually caused by high amounts of carbon dioxide gas inside the stem. It seems the plant uses this swelling to help control its gases. So, while some insects might use the puffy stem as a place to store food, they are not the reason it gets so big.
How People Use the Desert Trumpet
Long ago, some Native American tribes, like the Paiute people who lived near the Las Vegas Valley, found a clever use for the desert trumpet. They would cut the plant's stalk at the bottom. Then, they would slice the inflated, bulb-like part of the stem in half. This created a simple, makeshift pipe.
They would then smoke a mix of Indian tobacco and mistletoe in these pipes. This was mainly done for fun and relaxation.
The desert trumpet even made a quick appearance on TV! In the science fiction show Star Trek: Voyager, in an episode from Season 3, one of the characters named Neelix is shown looking at a desert trumpet plant.
