Horkelia californica facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Horkelia californica |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Horkelia
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| Species: |
californica
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| Synonyms | |
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Potentilla californica |
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Horkelia californica, also known as the California horkelia, is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the rose family, just like many familiar flowers and fruits.
This plant is special because it is endemic to California. This means it grows naturally only in California and nowhere else in the world! You can find it on scrubby slopes near the coast and in mountain areas. It especially likes the California Coast Ranges and the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada.
What Does California Horkelia Look Like?
The California horkelia is a type of perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years and grows back each season. It forms clumps of green stems that stand upright. These stems can be quite short, about 10 centimeters (4 inches), or grow much taller, over a meter (about 3 feet) high!
Its green leaves can be up to 40 centimeters (16 inches) long. Each leaf is made up of many smaller, rounded parts called leaflets. These leaflets are hairy and have small teeth along their edges. Each one can be up to 6 centimeters (2.4 inches) long.
Flowers and How They Grow
The flowers of the California horkelia grow in groups called an inflorescence. Some flowers might grow alone, while others are clustered together.
Each flower has special small, toothed leaves called bractlets. It also has thick, pointed parts called sepals, which protect the flower bud. The flowers themselves have five small, white petals. These petals are what make the California horkelia a pretty sight in its natural home.
