Kellogg's lewisia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kellogg's lewisia |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Lewisia
|
| Species: |
kelloggii
|
Lewisia kelloggii, often called Kellogg's lewisia, is a special kind of flowering plant. It belongs to the Montiaceae family. This plant is found only in one place: the high Sierra Nevada mountains in California. It loves to grow in rocky areas, especially where there is granite or slate rock.
Contents
Kellogg's Lewisia: A Mountain Flower
Kellogg's lewisia is a perennial herb, which means it lives for many years. It grows from a thick, short root system. This root helps it survive in tough mountain conditions.
What Does It Look Like?
This plant has a group of thick, spoon-shaped leaves that grow close to the ground. These leaves can be up to 9 centimeters (about 3.5 inches) long. They feel a bit leathery. When it blooms, Kellogg's lewisia produces several pretty flowers. Each flower sits on a very short stem. The flowers have between 5 and 13 shiny petals. These petals are usually white or a soft pink color and are just over a centimeter long. Underneath the petals, there are two small leaf-like parts called sepals. There are also two similar bracts. These sepals and bracts have tiny, round glands that produce a sticky resin.
Where Does It Grow?
As mentioned, Kellogg's lewisia is endemic to the Sierra Nevada mountains in California. This means it naturally grows nowhere else in the world! It thrives in the high, rocky parts of these mountains.
Its Close Relative: Sacajawea's Bitterroot
For a while, scientists thought some Lewisia plants found in the Sawtooth Range in Idaho were also Kellogg's lewisia. However, after doing special genetic tests, they discovered something interesting. These Idaho plants were different enough to be considered their own unique species! They were then given a new name: Lewisia sacajaweana, also known as Sacajawea's bitterroot. This shows how scientists use modern tools to understand the plant world better.
