Hosackia gracilis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hosackia gracilis |
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Hosackia gracilis, also known as the harlequin lotus, is a beautiful wild plant. It belongs to the pea family, which means it's a type of legume. You can find this plant growing in western North America, from British Columbia in Canada all the way down through Washington and Oregon to California in the United States.
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Discovering the Harlequin Lotus
The harlequin lotus was first described by a scientist named George Bentham. He gave it its scientific name, Hosackia gracilis. It also has a synonym, Lotus formosissimus, which is another name it was known by.
Where It Grows
This special plant loves moist places. You can often find it growing in the coastal mountains. It also grows right down to the ocean's edge on bluffs. It prefers areas that get a good amount of moisture.
What It Looks Like
The harlequin lotus is a perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years. It can grow upright or spread out along the ground. It usually reaches about 0.5 meters (about 1.6 feet) in length.
Its Leaves
The plant has many leaves along its stems. Each leaf is made up of several smaller leaflets. These leaflets are oval-shaped. They are arranged opposite each other on the leaf stem. Each leaflet can be up to 2 centimeters (about 0.8 inches) long.
Its Flowers
The flowers of the harlequin lotus are quite unique. They grow in a group called an inflorescence. Each flower looks like a small pea flower. They are usually 1 to 2 centimeters (about 0.4 to 0.8 inches) long. The flowers have a bright yellow upper petal, which is called the banner. The lower petals are bright pink or white. This mix of colors gives it the name "harlequin."
Its Fruits
After the flowers bloom, the plant produces fruits. These fruits are legume pods. They are similar to pea pods. Each pod is about 2 to 3 centimeters (about 0.8 to 1.2 inches) long.
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