Tripod duckwheat facts for kids

Eriogonum tripodum is a special and rare plant. It is often called tripod duckwheat. This plant is a type of wild buckwheat. It grows only in California. You can find it in the Sierra Nevada foothills. It also grows in the northern parts of the Coast Ranges.

Tripod Duckwheat: A Special California Plant

What Does It Look Like?

The tripod duckwheat is a small, spreading plant. It is a subshrub, which means it's like a small bush. It can grow up to about half a meter (about 20 inches) tall. It also spreads out about half a meter wide.

Its stems grow from a thick, woody base called a caudex. These stems usually do not have much hair. The bottom part of the plant has many leaves grouped together. These leaves are shaped like wide spear tips. They feel soft and woolly, especially on their undersides.

Its Bright Yellow Flowers

At the top of the stems, you'll see a cluster of bright yellow flowers. This cluster is called an inflorescence. It can look like a round head or an umbel. An umbel is a flower cluster where all the stalks start from one point.

Each small flower is a bit hairy. They are connected to the main cluster by a very thin base. This base looks like a tiny stalk.

Where Does It Grow?

Tripod duckwheat often grows in special soils. These soils are called serpentine soils. They are known for having certain minerals. This plant is a part of the unique group of plants that can live in these soils.