Farnsworth's jewelflower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Farnsworth's jewelflower |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Streptanthus
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| Species: |
farnsworthianus
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The Streptanthus farnsworthianus is a special kind of flowering plant. It is often called Farnsworth's jewelflower. This plant belongs to the mustard family. It is quite rare and only grows in one specific area.
Contents
What is Farnsworth's Jewelflower?
Farnsworth's jewelflower is an annual plant. This means it grows from a seed, flowers, produces new seeds, and then dies all within one year. It is a type of herb, not a tree or a bush.
Where Does It Grow?
This unique plant is found only in California. It is endemic to this state, meaning it doesn't naturally grow anywhere else in the world. You can find it in the woodlands of the Sierra Nevada foothills. These foothills are the lower parts of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
What Does It Look Like?
Farnsworth's jewelflower has some interesting features. It can grow quite tall for an herb.
Stem and Leaves
The plant has a smooth, waxy stem. It often has a purple color or a purple tint. This stem can grow up to half a meter (about 20 inches) or even taller. The leaves at the bottom of the plant are temporary. They can be up to 15 centimeters (about 6 inches) long. Each of these leaves is divided into several narrow, finger-like parts. Leaves higher up on the stem are purple and shaped like a spear. They usually wrap around the stem where they attach.
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers grow along the upper part of the stem. There are usually one or two purple, leaf-like structures called bracts at the base of each flower cluster. Each flower has a cup-shaped part called a calyx. This calyx is made of purple sepals and can be up to a centimeter long. From the top of the calyx, white petals emerge. These petals have curling purple veins, making them look quite pretty. After the flower blooms, it produces a fruit. This fruit is a long, thin pod called a silique. It can be straight or slightly curved and grow up to 12 centimeters (about 5 inches) long.
How Did It Get Its Name?
This plant was named after a woman named Evalyn Lucille Klein Farnsworth. She was a cattle rancher and loved collecting plants. She was the first person to discover this jewelflower growing on her own land.
