Onyxflower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Onyxflower |
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|---|---|
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| Achyronychia cooperi | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Achyronychia
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| Species: |
cooperi
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| Synonyms | |
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Corrigiola litoralis L. |
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Achyronychia cooperi, also known as the onyxflower or frost-mat, is a special kind of flowering plant. It is the only species in its group, which scientists call a "genus." This small plant grows flat on the ground in the hot deserts of North America.
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Where Does the Onyxflower Grow?
This interesting plant is native to the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts. These deserts are found in northern Mexico and parts of the U.S. states of California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona.
In California, you can find it in counties like San Diego and Riverside. In Arizona, it grows in areas such as Yuma and Mohave counties. It has also been seen in Washington County, Utah, and Clark County, Nevada.
What Does the Onyxflower Look Like?
The onyxflower is a very small plant. It spreads out like a tiny mat right on the ground. It has several stems that lie flat and spread in all directions. Each stem is only a few centimeters long.
The leaves are thick and a pale green color. They are shaped like small paddles and are less than 2 centimeters long.
Its Unique Flowers
Tiny flowers grow in dense bunches where the leaves meet the stems. These flowers are quite unusual because they do not have petals. Instead, each flower has five thin, shiny white parts called sepals.
These sepals look a lot like tiny fingernails. This is why the plant is called Achyronychia. This name comes from the Greek words for "chaff" and "fingernail."
See also
In Spanish: Achyronychia cooperi para niños
