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Melanthium woodii facts for kids

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Melanthium woodii
Scientific classification
Genus:
Melanthium
Species:
woodii
Synonyms
  • Veratrum intermedium Chapm.
  • Veratrum woodii J.W. Robbins ex Alph. Wood

Melanthium woodii, also known as Wood's bunchflower or Ozark bunch-flower, is a type of plant. It used to be called Veratrum woodii. This plant is special because of its unique flowers.

About Wood's Bunchflower

Wood's bunchflower is a plant that lives for many years. It grows from small, round parts called bulbs, which are like tiny underground storage units. These bulbs can be about 1.6 centimeters (0.64 inches) wide. The plant also spreads using underground stems called rhizomes. These rhizomes help new plants grow nearby.

Where It Grows

This plant is found in the central and southeastern parts of the United States. You can see it in states like Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. It likes to grow in forests and can be found in places that are not higher than 800 meters (2,700 feet) above sea level.

What It Looks Like

The leaves of Wood's bunchflower are long and shaped like an oval or a spear. They can grow up to 50 centimeters (almost 20 inches) long. The plant also has tall flower stalks, which can reach up to 60 centimeters (2 feet) tall.

Special Flowers

The flowers of Wood's bunchflower are very unique. They are the most special part of the plant. No other plant in its group has flowers with chocolate brown tepals. Tepals are like petals and sepals combined. The young parts of the flower that will become seeds, called ovaries, are also covered in soft, dense hairs. This hairy texture is called tomentose. These features make Wood's bunchflower easy to tell apart from other similar plants.

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