Pacific waterleaf facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pacific waterleaf |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Hydrophyllum
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| Species: |
tenuipes
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The Pacific waterleaf, also known by its scientific name Hydrophyllum tenuipes, is a type of plant that grows year after year. It's found in western North America, stretching from British Columbia in Canada all the way down to northern California in the United States.
How It Grows and Spreads
The Pacific waterleaf is quite clever at spreading out! It uses special underground stems called rhizomes to grow new plants. This helps it form big groups, or "colonies," especially in shady, wooded areas.
When It Blooms
You can spot its pretty flowers in the middle to late spring. They can be a greenish-white color or even a lovely lavender shade.
What It Looks Like
The Pacific waterleaf has interesting flowers. Each flower has five petals. What's really noticeable are the five stamens (the parts that hold pollen), which stick out far beyond the petals. They are more than twice as long as the petals themselves!
Flower Details
The sepals (small leaf-like parts that protect the flower bud) have tiny bristles along their edges. You'll see many clusters of these flowers growing on stalks. These stalks come out from where the upper leaves meet the main stem.
Where It Lives
Hydrophyllum tenuipes prefers to grow in places that are not too high up, usually at low to mid-elevations. It loves shady spots. You often find it growing close to another plant called Tolmiea menziesii, also known as "Youth on Age." Both of these plants bloom around the same time in the spring.
