Nineleaf biscuitroot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nineleaf biscuitroot |
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| Lomatium triternatum var. triternatum on Burch Mountain, Chelan County Washington | |
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Selineae
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L. triternatum
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| Lomatium triternatum (Pursh) J.M.Coult. & Rose
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Lomatium triternatum is a type of flowering plant in the carrot family. It's often called nineleaf biscuitroot because of its unique leaves. This plant grows in many parts of western North America, from British Columbia in Canada all the way down to California and as far east as Colorado in the United States. You can find it growing in many different kinds of natural places.
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What is Nineleaf Biscuitroot?
The nineleaf biscuitroot is a perennial herb, which means it's a plant that lives for more than two years. It grows from a thick root called a taproot, which helps it store food and water. The plant can grow quite tall, sometimes reaching up to one meter (about 3 feet) high.
Plant Structure and Appearance
The leaves of the nineleaf biscuitroot grow from the lower part of its stem. Each leaf is special because it's usually divided into three smaller parts called leaflets. What's even more interesting is that each of these leaflets is then divided again into three very thin, long segments that look like tiny leaves. This gives the plant its "nineleaf" name.
The plant also has small hairs on its stems and leaves. This hairy texture can help protect the plant from losing too much water, especially in dry areas.
Flowers and How They Grow
The flowers of the nineleaf biscuitroot are yellow and grow in a special cluster called an umbel. An umbel looks a bit like an umbrella, with many flower stalks coming from a single point. Each cluster of yellow flowers sits on a stalk, or "ray," that can be up to 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) long. These bright yellow flowers attract insects, which help the plant make seeds.
Where Nineleaf Biscuitroot Lives
This plant is native to a large area of western North America. It can be found in:
- British Columbia, Canada
- Many western states in the United States, including California, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado
It's a very adaptable plant, meaning it can grow in many different types of environments. You might find it in open fields, rocky slopes, or even in forests. It's a common sight in places like the Cascade Range, the Great Basin, and the Rocky Mountains.
