Foothill meadowfoam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Limnanthes douglasii subsp. striata |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Brassicales |
| Family: | Limnanthaceae |
| Genus: | Limnanthes |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
L. d. subsp. striata
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| Trinomial name | |
| Limnanthes douglasii subsp. striata (Jeps.) Morin
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| Synonyms | |
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Limanthes striata Jeps. |
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The Foothill Meadowfoam (Limnanthes striata) is a beautiful wild plant. It used to be known as its own species. Now, scientists consider it a type of meadowfoam called Limnanthes douglasii. This change happened in important plant guides like the Jepson Manual and the Flora of North America.
This special plant only grows in California. You can find it in the Sierra Nevada foothills and the southern Klamath Mountains. It loves wet, grassy places. You might see it growing like a carpet around the edges of temporary ponds called vernal pools or small streams that only flow after rain.
About This Plant
The Foothill Meadowfoam is an annual herb. This means it grows from a seed, flowers, produces seeds, and then dies all within one year. Its stems spread out along the ground, growing up to about 30 centimeters (about 12 inches) long.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of this plant are made up of several smaller parts called leaflets. These leaflets can be long and narrow or more oval-shaped. Each leaflet is about 2 centimeters (less than an inch) long. Some leaflets have lobes, which are rounded parts, while others are smooth.
The flowers of the Foothill Meadowfoam are shaped like a funnel. They have white petals with pretty veins. The bottom part of the petals, near the center of the flower, is usually yellow. This gives the flower a lovely two-toned look.
