Longhorn steer's head facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Longhorn steer's head |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Dicentra
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| Species: |
uniflora
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Dicentra uniflora, also known as the longhorn steer's head, is a really interesting wild flower! It's a plant that grows back every year from a special underground part called a tuber. You can find this unique plant growing in rocky or gravelly soils high up in the mountains of the western United States.
What It Looks Like
This tiny plant usually grows only up to about 10 centimeters (or 4 inches) tall. Its leaves are quite special. They have long stems and are divided into smaller parts three times, like a puzzle. These smaller parts are called leaflets, and they are rounded but also deeply split.
Its Flowers
The flowers of the longhorn steer's head are very pretty. They can be pink or white, sometimes with a touch of light brown or purple. The flower has two outer petals that bend backward, almost like horns, which is how it got its name! The two inner petals are joined together at their tips.
Seeds and Capsules
After the flower blooms, the plant produces seeds. These seeds are held inside a small case called a capsule. This capsule is a little more than 1 centimeter (about 0.4 inches) long.
Where It Grows
The longhorn steer's head plant loves to live in the mountains of the western United States. You can find it in states like California, Oregon, Nevada, and Utah. It also grows in the Northwestern United States, the Rocky Mountains, and the Sierra Nevada (U.S.) mountain range. It prefers rocky and gravelly soil, which is common in these mountain areas.
