Inyo meadow lupine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Inyo meadow lupine |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Lupinus
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| Species: |
pratensis
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The Inyo meadow lupine (scientific name: Lupinus pratensis) is a beautiful wild flower that belongs to the lupine family. It's a special plant because it only grows in one place: California, in the United States.
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About the Inyo Meadow Lupine
The Inyo meadow lupine is a type of plant called a perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years and doesn't have a woody stem like a tree. It grows straight up, reaching a height of about 30 to 70 centimeters (about 1 to 2.3 feet) tall.
Where Does It Grow?
This unique lupine is found only in California. It loves to grow in the central Sierra Nevada mountains. You can also find it in the flat areas and valleys just east of these mountains. It prefers places that are a bit wet, like along the banks of small streams or in meadows where springs bubble up. This is why it's called "Inyo meadow" lupine!
What Does It Look Like?
The Inyo meadow lupine has several interesting features:
- Leaves: Its leaves are shaped like a hand with fingers spread out. This is called "palmate." Each leaf has 5 to 10 thin, narrow parts, sometimes longer than 10 centimeters (about 4 inches). These leaves grow on long stems called petioles, which can be up to 25 centimeters (about 10 inches) long. The whole plant is green and covered in fine, soft hairs.
- Flowers: The flowers grow in a tight cluster called a raceme. There are many flowers in each cluster, and each one is about a centimeter (less than half an inch) long. They are usually a pretty dark blue or purple color. Each flower also has a special reddish or orange spot on its top petal, which is called the "banner."
- Fruit: After the flowers bloom, the plant produces a fruit. This fruit is a fuzzy legume pod, similar to a pea pod. It's about 2 centimeters (less than an inch) long.
Different Kinds of Inyo Meadow Lupine
Just like there can be different types of apples, there are also different types, or "varieties," of the Inyo meadow lupine. One variety, called eriostachyus, is quite rare. It has only been found in the area around Big Pine Creek in Inyo County.
