Father Crowley's lupine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Father Crowley's lupine |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Lupinus
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| Species: |
padre-crowleyi
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| Synonyms | |
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Lupinus dedeckerae |
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The Lupinus padre-crowleyi is a special kind of lupine plant. It is also known as DeDecker's lupine or Father Crowley's lupine. This plant is quite rare.
It only grows in California, especially on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountains. You can also find it on the high flat land near the western edge of Inyo County. This lupine likes to grow in the rocky soil of mountain forests and scrublands. Scientists have found it in fewer than 20 places.
What is DeDecker's Lupine?
DeDecker's lupine is a perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years. It grows a tall flower stalk from a base of leaves. These leaves are covered in soft, silvery hairs, like wool. The plant can grow to be over half a meter tall.
Leaves and Flowers
Each leaf looks like a hand with fingers spread out. It has 6 to 9 smaller leaflets, each up to 7.5 centimeters long. The flowers grow in a tall cluster called a raceme. They are arranged in groups around the stem. Each flower is a little over a centimeter long. Their color can be cream or a light brownish-yellow.
Fruit and Seeds
After the flowers bloom, the plant produces a legume pod. This pod is covered in silky hairs. Inside the pod are seeds. These seeds are white with black spots.
How Did It Get Its Name?
This special lupine plant was officially described by scientists two times. Today, it uses its first official name, Lupinus padre-crowleyi. This name honors a local writer named Father John J. Crowley.
The plant also has another scientific name, Lupinus dedeckerae. This name was given to honor a plant collector named Mary DeDecker. She was very important in finding and studying plants in California.
