Trinity penstemon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Trinity penstemon |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Penstemon
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| Species: |
tracyi
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Penstemon tracyi is a very rare type of flower. People often call it the Trinity penstemon or Tracy's beardtongue. It is a special plant because it only grows in one small area. This area is Trinity County, California, in the Trinity Alps mountains.
Scientists know of fewer than 10 places where this plant grows naturally. It likes to live in tough spots. You can find it on open, rocky areas and on slopes made of loose rocks high up in the mountains.
What Does It Look Like?
The Trinity penstemon is a small plant. It is a type of perennial plant, which means it lives for many years. It usually grows no taller than 12 centimeters (about 5 inches). That's shorter than a standard pencil!
Its leaves are smooth and shaped like ovals or circles. They are quite small, only about 1 to 2 centimeters long.
The Flowers
The flowers of Penstemon tracyi grow in tight groups. They are a pretty pink color and shaped like tubes. Each flower is about 1 centimeter long.
If you look closely inside the flower, you'll see something interesting. The bottom part of the flower's opening has tiny hairs. There's also a small tuft of hairs at the end of a special part called the staminode.
