Owl Creek miner's candle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Owl Creek miner's candle |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| (unranked): | |
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| Order: |
(unplaced)
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| Family: | |
| Genus: |
Cryptantha
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| Species: |
C. subcapitata
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| Binomial name | |
| Cryptantha subcapitata Dorn & Lichvar
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The Cryptantha subcapitata is a special kind of flowering plant. It is part of the borage family. People also call it by other names like Owl Creek miner's candle, Wallowa cat's eye, or Wallowa cryptantha.
This plant is found only in Wyoming, a state in the United States. It grows in specific areas like the Owl Creek and Bridger Mountains. These mountains are located in Fremont County. There are only three known groups of these plants, but together they have about 38,000 individual plants.
What Does This Plant Look Like?
This plant is a perennial herb. This means it is a plant that lives for more than two years and does not have a woody stem. It forms a low, silvery mat on the ground. Its leaves are covered in tiny hairs, which gives it a silvery look.
The stems of the Cryptantha subcapitata can grow up to 15 centimeters tall. That's about the length of a regular pencil! When it blooms, it produces beautiful "sparkling white forget-me-not flowers." These flowers are small and delicate, adding a touch of brightness to its habitat.
Where Does This Plant Grow?
The Cryptantha subcapitata likes to grow in tough places. It prefers bare, sandy, and gravelly ground. You can find it on the Wind River Formation in the Wind River Basin. This area has special types of rocks.
The plant grows on both sandstone and limestone. These are types of rocks that break down into sand or fine particles. It often shares its home with other low-growing, cushion-like plants. Some of these plant neighbors include Sphaeromeria capitata and Artemisia nova. All these plants live together within areas where sagebrush grows.
Why Is This Plant Safe?
This plant is quite safe from many dangers. The areas where it grows are very rugged and not many people live there. This means there are not many human activities that could harm the plant. Because of this, the Cryptantha subcapitata faces very few threats to its survival.
