Mountain navarretia facts for kids
Navarretia divaricata is a cool flowering plant that belongs to the phlox family. You might know it better by its common names: mountain navarretia or divaricate navarretia. This plant grows naturally in western North America, stretching from British Columbia in Canada all the way down to Montana and California in the United States. It loves to grow in open areas where it can get plenty of sunlight.
Quick facts for kids Mountain navarretia |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Navarretia
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| Species: |
divaricata
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This plant is an annual herb, which means it completes its whole life cycle in just one year. It's usually quite small, growing no more than about 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) tall.
Stems and Leaves
The stem of the mountain navarretia is often covered in tiny hairs and can feel a bit sticky because it's "glandular" (meaning it has glands that produce sticky stuff). Its branches grow in pairs or in circles around the main stem, and they can be a cool purple-brown color. The leaves are very interesting! They are divided into many thin, thread-like parts, almost like tiny fingers.
Flowers and Bracts
The flowers of this plant are quite small and beautiful. They can be white with a hint of pink, or even a deep blue color. These tiny flowers are found in a round cluster called an inflorescence. This cluster is surrounded by special leaf-like structures called bracts. These bracts are green and have deep cuts, making them look like they have long, narrow, pointed tips. The little flowers are tucked safely among these spiky bracts.
