Glaucous wild cabbage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Glaucous wild cabbage |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Caulanthus
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| Species: |
glaucus
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| Synonyms | |
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Streptanthus glaucus (S.Watson) Jeps. |
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The Caulanthus glaucus, also known as glaucous wild cabbage, is a fascinating flowering plant. It belongs to the Brassicaceae family, which also includes many common vegetables like broccoli and cabbage!
This plant makes its home in the dry, rocky mountains of southern Nevada and nearby parts of eastern California. You can often find it growing in the Mojave Desert and on special "sky islands," which are isolated mountains that rise above the desert floor.
What Does It Look Like?
The glaucous wild cabbage is a perennial herb. This means it's a plant that doesn't have a woody stem like a tree or shrub. Instead, it has soft, green stems, and it lives for more than two years, often coming back year after year from its roots.
Stems and Leaves
This plant grows a thin, branching stem from a tough, woody base called a caudex. Think of the caudex as a sturdy, underground storage part that helps the plant survive in dry conditions.
The biggest leaves grow in a bunch at the bottom of the plant. These leaves are shaped like ovals and can be up to 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) long. As you look higher up the stem, you'll see smaller, narrower leaves that are shaped like spear tips.
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers of the glaucous wild cabbage are quite interesting. They have thick, green sepals, which are like small leaf-like structures that protect the flower bud. Underneath these sepals, you'll find narrow petals that can be yellowish or purplish.
After the flower blooms, it produces a long, thin fruit called a silique. This silique can grow to be very long, sometimes reaching up to 15 centimeters (about 6 inches)! The silique holds the plant's seeds, ready to start new plants.
Where Does It Live?
This plant is perfectly adapted to live in the harsh desert environment. It thrives in open, rocky areas found in the desert mountains. The "glaucous" part of its name means it has a pale, waxy, or powdery coating, which can help protect it from the intense desert sun and reduce water loss.
