Ochagavia litoralis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ochagavia litoralis |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ochagavia
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| Species: |
litoralis
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Ochagavia litoralis is a cool flowering plant that belongs to the Bromeliaceae family. You might know other plants from this family, like pineapples! This plant is special because it only grows in Chile, which means it's endemic there. People in Chile sometimes call it calilla or chupón.
What Does It Look Like?
This plant can grow a stem that's longer than 20 centimeters (about 8 inches). It also makes new little plants, called offsets, that grow from the main plant. These offsets can spread out and form big groups of plants, like a small colony!
Its leaves are long and narrow, usually between 17 and 38 centimeters (about 7 to 15 inches) in length. They feel tough, almost like leather. If you look at the underside of the leaves, they are whitish and have tiny scales.
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers of Ochagavia litoralis grow in a round or oval shape called an inflorescence. This cluster can have up to 35 flowers and is about 8 centimeters (3 inches) long and wide. It sits on a stalk that can be up to 12 centimeters (about 5 inches) long.
Each flower is a few centimeters long and has three pretty pink petals. Around the flowers, there are special leaf-like parts called bracts. The parts of the flower that help it reproduce, like the stamens (which make pollen) and the style (part of the female reproductive organ), stick out from the flower. After the flower blooms, it produces a berry fruit that is 2 to 3 centimeters (about 1 inch) long.
Where Does It Grow?
This plant is found only in central Chile, mostly along the coast. It loves to grow on steep cliffs right by the sea. Sometimes, you can see large, dense groups of these plants covering the cliffs.
While it's mainly a coastal plant, some small groups have been found about 15 kilometers (about 9 miles) inland. However, these inland groups are very rare and are considered to be in danger of disappearing.
Growing This Plant
Ochagavia litoralis is sometimes grown by people as an ornamental plant. This means it's grown for its beauty, often in gardens. You can also see it in botanical gardens, which are like special plant museums. In these gardens, it's often displayed with other succulent plants, which are plants that store water in their leaves or stems.
See also
- In Spanish: Ochagavia litoralis para niños
