Packard's blazingstar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Packard's blazingstar |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Mentzelia
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| Species: |
packardiae
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The Packard's blazingstar (Mentzelia packardiae) is a special kind of flowering plant. It is also known as Packard's stickleaf. This plant is part of the Loasaceae family. It grows naturally in a small area of the western United States. You can find it in parts of Oregon and Nevada.
Contents
What is Packard's Blazingstar?
Packard's blazingstar is an annual plant. This means it completes its whole life cycle in one year. It grows new from a seed each spring. The plant has stems that stand straight up. They are white to light green in color. These stems can grow up to 40 centimeters (about 16 inches) tall.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves at the bottom of the plant are long and thin. They look like lines. Leaves higher up on the stem can be linear or shaped like a spear (lance-shaped).
The flowers grow along the stem and at its very top. Each flower has five petals. These petals are oval or round. They can be up to 1.5 centimeters (about half an inch) long. The petals are usually yellow. Sometimes, they have a small red spot at their base.
Seeds and Fruit
After the flower blooms, it produces a fruit. This fruit is a capsule. It can grow up to 3 centimeters (about 1.2 inches) long. Inside this capsule, there are usually 10 to 20 seeds. These seeds will grow into new plants the next year.
Where Does it Live?
This plant likes to grow in very specific places. It prefers dry soils that are rich in potassium. These soils are often made from volcanic ash. Volcanic ash is rock and dust that comes out of a volcano. The soil where this plant grows often has a greenish color.
Plant Neighbors
Packard's blazingstar shares its home with other plants. Some of its plant neighbors include:
- Senecio ertterae
- Trifolium owyheense
- Phacelia lutea
These plants all grow well together in the same special soil conditions.
Why is it Rare?
Packard's blazingstar is a rare plant. This means there are not many of them left. Several things threaten its survival.
Threats to the Plant
- Mining: When people dig for minerals, it can destroy the plant's habitat.
- Recreational activities: Things like hiking or camping can sometimes disturb the soil.
- Off-road vehicles: Vehicles like ATVs driving off roads can damage plants and their soil.
- Road construction: Building new roads can remove the areas where the plant grows.
Protecting these special areas helps keep Packard's blazingstar safe.
