Mt. Hamilton desertparsley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mt. Hamilton desertparsley |
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Selineae
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L. observatorium
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| Lomatium observatorium Constance & Ertter
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Lomatium observatorium is a rare and unique flowering plant. It is also known by its common names, Mt. Hamilton desertparsley and Mount Hamilton lomatium. This plant belongs to the carrot family, which includes many familiar plants like carrots and parsley!
This special plant is endemic to California. This means it grows naturally only in California and nowhere else in the world. You can find it in the mountains of Santa Clara County. This includes Mount Hamilton, which is famous for the Lick Observatory. Scientists think it might also grow in Stanislaus County. It likes to grow in mountain woodlands. It prefers areas with volcanic rocks and changed sedimentary rock in the soil.
Scientists first described this plant as a new species in 1996. It is a perennial herb, which means it lives for more than two years. It grows low to the ground and has slightly hairy leaves. The plant gets its nutrients and water from a long, deep taproot.
What the Mount Hamilton Desertparsley Looks Like
This plant has interesting leaves and flowers.
Leaves
The leaves of the Mount Hamilton desertparsley can grow up to 12 centimeters (about 5 inches) long. They are very detailed and divided into many smaller parts. These tiny parts are shaped like thin lines or spearheads and have pointed tips. The leaves grow on stalks called petioles, which are a few centimeters long.
Flowers
The flowers grow in a special shape called an umbel. An umbel looks like an umbrella, with many tiny flowers branching out from a central point. These small flowers are grouped together in one or more clusters. The flower clusters grow on a stem called a peduncle. This stem can be very short or grow up to 20 centimeters (about 8 inches) tall.
