Wholeleaf saxifrage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wholeleaf saxifrage |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Micranthes
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| Species: |
integrifolia
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| Synonyms | |
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Micranthes bidens |
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Micranthes integrifolia is a type of flowering plant often called the wholeleaf saxifrage. It is a beautiful wild flower found in parts of North America. This plant is known for its pretty white flowers and green leaves.
Contents
Where Wholeleaf Saxifrage Lives
This plant grows naturally in western North America. You can find it from British Columbia in Canada all the way down to Montana and northern California in the United States.
Favorite Places to Grow
Wholeleaf saxifrage likes places that are wet. It often grows in:
- Green meadows
- Open prairies
- Grassy mountain slopes
It needs moist soil to thrive and grow strong.
What Wholeleaf Saxifrage Looks Like
The wholeleaf saxifrage is a perennial herb. This means it is a plant that lives for more than two years. It is not woody like a tree or shrub.
Roots and Leaves
The plant grows from a special base called a caudex. It also has a system of rhizomes. Rhizomes are like underground stems that help the plant spread.
At the bottom of the plant, it forms a group of leaves close to the ground. This is called a basal rosette. Imagine a circle of leaves at the plant's base.
Leaf Details
Each leaf can grow up to about 7 centimeters long. That's about the length of your finger! The edges of the leaves can be either slightly toothed or completely smooth. Each leaf sits on a short stalk called a petiole.
Flowers and Stems
The flowers of the wholeleaf saxifrage grow on a tall, strong stem. This stem is called a peduncle. It can reach up to 35 centimeters tall. That's about the length of a ruler! The peduncle is often covered in tiny hairs.
Flower Clusters
At the very top of this tall stem, you will find a cluster of white flowers. This whole flower arrangement is called an inflorescence. The flowers are usually white and grow close together.
