Fringed linanthus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fringed linanthus
Scientific classification
Genus:	Linanthus
Species:	dianthiflorus

Linanthus dianthiflorus, also known as the fringed linanthus or ground pink, is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the phlox family, which is known for its colorful flowers.

This plant is a type of wildflower that grows for one year (it's an annual). You can only find it in southern California, making it a special plant that is endemic to that area. This means it naturally lives there and nowhere else in the world! It grows in places like the Peninsular Ranges, Transverse Ranges, and on the Channel Islands. It likes open spaces, especially in areas called chaparral, which are dry shrublands.

What Does It Look Like?

The fringed linanthus is a small plant. It has a very thin, somewhat hairy stem that usually grows no taller than about 12 centimeters (which is less than 5 inches).

Its leaves are long and skinny, almost like threads, and they don't have any lobes or divisions. These leaves can grow up to 2 centimeters long.

Its Flowers

The plant's flowers grow in a cluster, which is called an inflorescence. Each cluster has several leaves and one or more pretty flowers. The flowers have small, hairy, leaf-like parts called sepals that protect the bud.

Each flower has pale pink petals that are often fringed or have tiny teeth at their tips, which is how it gets the name "fringed linanthus." At the base of each petal, you might see small purple spots. The very center of the flower, often called the "throat," has bright yellow and white colors, making it even more eye-catching!