Nodding thelypody facts for kids

Thelypodium flexuosum, also known as nodding thelypody, is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the mustard family. This plant is found naturally in the northwestern United States. You can see it in places like California, Nevada, and Idaho. It especially likes the Great Basin area and the plateaus around it.

It often grows in scrubby areas. You might find it among shrubs, especially where sagebrush grows.

What is Nodding Thelypody?

Nodding thelypody is a perennial herb. This means it is a plant that lives for more than two years. It grows back each year from its roots. The plant has a woody base called a caudex. This caudex is often covered with old, dried leaves from past growing seasons.

It also has a very deep taproot. This strong root helps the plant get water from deep in the soil.

Stems and Leaves

The plant produces thin stems that can branch out. These stems might bend or stand straight up. They can grow to be about 60 to 80 centimeters tall. That's almost as tall as a typical 12-year-old!

The leaves at the bottom of the plant are called basal leaves. They have a waxy feel and are shaped like a spear. These leaves grow on long stalks called petioles. Leaves higher up on the stem are shorter. Their bases wrap around the stem.

Flowers and Fruit

The flowers of the nodding thelypody grow in a dense cluster. This cluster is called an inflorescence. It looks like a spiky raceme, which means the flowers grow along a central stem. The flowers are similar to other mustard plants. They have petals that can be lavender or whitish in color.

After the flowers bloom, the plant produces fruit. The fruit is a long, tube-shaped pod called a silique. Each silique can be up to 4 centimeters long. Inside these pods, you will find several small seeds.