Yelloweyes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yelloweyes |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Lupinus
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| Species: |
flavoculatus
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Lupinus flavoculatus is a type of plant called a lupine. People often call it yelloweyes or yellow-eyed lupine because of its flowers. This small plant is an annual herb, meaning it grows, flowers, and dies within one year.
Where Yelloweyes Lives
This special plant, the yellow-eyed lupine, only grows in certain places. It is found naturally in parts of California and Nevada. This means it is endemic to these states.
You can spot it in the mountains and flat areas of the Mojave Desert. It also lives in the Inyo Mountains and White Mountains.
Yelloweyes likes to grow in areas with creosote bush scrub plants. It also thrives in pinyon-juniper woodlands. You might even see it if you visit Death Valley National Park!
What Yelloweyes Looks Like
The Lupinus flavoculatus is a small plant. It is usually covered in tiny hairs. It can grow up to about 20 centimetres (7.9 in) (about 8 inches) tall.
Each leaf on the plant looks like a hand with fingers. This is called a palmate leaf. Each leaf has 7 to 9 small parts called leaflets. These leaflets are only about 1 or 2 centimeters long.
The Flowers
The flowers grow in a tight spiral shape. This group of flowers is called an inflorescence. Each flower is about one centimeter long.
The flowers are usually a bright to deep blue color. They have a special yellowish spot on their top petal, which is called the banner. This yellow spot is why it's called "yelloweyes"!
Seeds and Fruit
After the flowers bloom, the plant produces fruit. The fruit is a somewhat oval-shaped pod. It is also hairy, just like the rest of the plant.
This pod is a type of legume, like a pea pod. It is usually less than a centimeter long. Inside the pod, you will find one or two wrinkled seeds.
