Mariposa desertparsley facts for kids
Lomatium congdonii, also known as Mariposa desertparsley or Congdon's lomatium, is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the carrot family, just like the carrots you might eat!
Quick facts for kids Mariposa desertparsley |
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Selineae
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L. congdonii
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| Lomatium congdonii J.M.Coult. & Rose
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Where Does This Plant Grow?
Lomatium congdonii is a special plant because it is endemic to California. This means it grows naturally only in California and nowhere else in the world!
You can find it in the Sierra Nevada foothills. These are the lower hills leading up to the tall Sierra Nevada mountains. It grows in oak woodland areas. These are forests where oak trees are common.
This plant often prefers to grow in a special type of ground called serpentine soil. This soil is unique because it has certain minerals that many other plants don't like.
What Does This Plant Look Like?
Lomatium congdonii is a perennial herb. This means it's a plant that lives for more than two years, and it doesn't have a woody stem like a tree. It grows from a strong base and a deep taproot, which helps it get water and nutrients from the soil.
The plant produces tall stems with inflorescences, which are groups of flowers. Its leaves can grow up to about 20 centimeters (about 8 inches) long. They are divided into many small, pointy parts, almost like tiny fern leaves.
The flowers grow in an umbel. This is a special flower shape where all the flower stalks come from a single point, like the ribs of an umbrella. The flowers of Lomatium congdonii are a light yellow color.
