Minuartia californica facts for kids

The California sandwort (scientific name: Minuartia californica) is a small flowering plant. It belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family, which is also known as the carnation family. This plant grows naturally in California and Oregon. You can find it in many different places, like valleys, hills, and mountains. It also likes to grow in areas with chaparral (dense shrubs), near vernal pools (seasonal ponds), and even along roadsides.

What is California Sandwort?

The California sandwort is an annual herb. This means it completes its whole life cycle, from seed to flower to new seeds, within one year. It then dies, and new plants grow from its seeds the next year.

Physical Features of the Plant

This plant is quite small. It grows a very thin stem, like a piece of hair. This stem usually stands up straight or spreads out, and it can have branches. The plant typically reaches a height of no more than 12 centimeters (about 4.7 inches).

Leaves and Flowers

The leaves of the California sandwort are very narrow. They are only a few millimeters long. They are also less than 2 millimeters wide. The plant produces tiny flowers. Each flower has five white petals. It also has five pointed parts called sepals. These sepals often have visible veins on them.