Franciscan wallflower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Franciscan wallflower |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Erysimum
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| Species: |
franciscanum
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The Erysimum franciscanum, often called the Franciscan wallflower or San Francisco wallflower, is a special plant. It grows naturally only along the northern California coast. You can find it from Sonoma down to Santa Cruz Counties. This plant belongs to the Erysimum group, which is part of the mustard family, also known as the Brassicaceae.
Contents
What is the Franciscan Wallflower?
The Franciscan wallflower is a plant that can live for two years (this is called a biennial) or sometimes a bit longer (a short-lived perennial).
Its Flowers and Life Cycle
The flowers of this plant are usually cream-colored or yellow. They have four sepals (small leaf-like parts that protect the bud) and four petals. These petals are arranged in a cross shape, which is a common feature for plants in the mustard family. You can see these flowers blooming from late winter all the way through late spring.
Where it Grows
This wallflower likes open, scrubby areas where it can get plenty of sunlight. It can grow in different types of soil, including rocky, sandy, or even special serpentine soils. It's also quite easy to grow in gardens.
Protecting the Plant
Even though the Franciscan wallflower is not officially listed as an endangered species, it only grows in a few specific places. Its natural home is broken up into small, separate areas.
Conservation Efforts
Experts keep a close eye on this plant at the Presidio of San Francisco. This is also the place where the plant was first officially discovered and described. To help the plant survive, young wallflowers are grown in a special nursery at the Presidio. Once they are big enough, they are planted back into their natural habitat to help their populations grow.
