Pygmy mountainparsley facts for kids

Oreonana clementis, also known as the pygmy mountainparsley, is a small plant that grows back every year. It belongs to the carrot family, which scientists call Apiaceae. You can find this special plant growing in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in the United States.

Where It Lives

The pygmy mountainparsley loves to live high up in the mountains. It grows in the Sierra Nevada at elevations from about 5,500 to 13,000 feet (which is about 1,676 to 3,962 meters) above sea level. This plant prefers dry, rocky soil made from granite. Think of it as sandy, gravelly ground that comes from broken-down granite rocks.

What It Looks Like

This plant is quite small and unique. It has a bunch of gray, hairy leaves that grow directly from its root, without any visible stems. These leaves are usually only about 1 inch (or 2.5 centimeters) long.

From May to August, you can see its flowers. They grow in small, round clusters that look like little balls. These flower clusters are whitish and sit on short stems, adding a touch of color to the rocky mountain slopes.