Hilaria (plant) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hilaria (plant) |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Hilaria rigida | |
Scientific classification  |
|
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Chloridoideae |
| Tribe: | Cynodonteae |
| Subtribe: | Hilariinae P.M.Peterson & Columbus |
| Genus: | Hilaria Kunth |
| Type species | |
| Hilaria cenchroides Kunth
|
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
Hilaria is a group of plants, also known as a genus, that belongs to the grass family. These grasses are found in North America. People often call them curly mesquite because of their unique look. You can find Hilaria grasses growing in the Southwestern United States, Mexico, and Guatemala.
Contents
About Hilaria Grasses
Hilaria grasses are an important part of the plant life in dry, warm areas. They are known for being tough and able to grow in places where many other plants cannot. These grasses help to hold the soil in place, which is important in deserts and dry grasslands. They also provide food for many animals.
Where Hilaria Grasses Grow
These special grasses thrive in dry, sunny places. They are very common in the deserts and grasslands of the southwestern parts of the United States. You can also find them across much of Mexico and even as far south as Guatemala. They are well-adapted to hot weather and little rainfall.
Naming Hilaria
The name Hilaria was given to this group of grasses to honor a famous French scientist. His name was Augustin Saint-Hilaire, and he lived from 1779 to 1853. He was a naturalist, which means he studied nature, including plants and animals. Naming a plant after someone is a way to remember their important work.
Different Types of Hilaria Grasses
There are several different kinds of Hilaria grasses. Each type has its own specific places where it grows best. Here are a few examples of these interesting grasses:
- Hilaria belangeri: This type grows in the USA (like Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas) and goes south into Mexico.
- Hilaria cenchroides: You can find this grass from northern Mexico all the way to Guatemala. It has also started growing naturally in parts of Arizona.
- Hilaria jamesii: This is a widespread type found in many US states, including California, Colorado, and Utah.
- Hilaria mutica: This grass is common in the USA (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas) and many states in Mexico.
- Hilaria rigida: This type is found in the US (Arizona, California, Nevada) and parts of Mexico. It is known for being quite stiff.
These different types of Hilaria grasses show how diverse and widespread this plant group is across North America.
Images for kids
-
Hilaria rigida is one type of curly mesquite grass.
See also
In Spanish: Hilaria para niños
