Howell's yampah facts for kids

Howell's yampah (scientific name: Perideridia howellii) is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the Apiaceae family, which also includes carrots and parsley! This plant grows naturally in the mountains of Oregon and northern California. You can often find it in wet places, like near streams and rivers.

What is Howell's Yampah?

Howell's yampah is a perennial herb. This means it's a plant that lives for more than two years. It grows back each year from its roots. The plant can grow quite tall, sometimes over 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) high!

Its stem is thin and stands straight up. This stem grows from a group of many thin, tough roots. These roots can be up to 15 centimeters (about 6 inches) long.

How Does It Look?

The leaves near the bottom of the plant are long and shaped like a spear. They can be up to half a meter (about 20 inches) long. These large leaves are divided into many smaller parts called leaflets. The leaflets are oval-shaped and have small teeth along their edges.

Leaves higher up on the stem look similar to the lower ones. However, they are usually much smaller.

Flowers and Fruits

The flowers of Howell's yampah grow in a special way. They form a large, branched cluster called a compound umbel. Imagine many tiny umbrellas grouped together! Each "umbrella" is made of many small, round clusters of white flowers.

After the flowers bloom, they turn into small fruits. These fruits are ribbed and shaped like an oblong (a stretched circle). Each fruit is about half a centimeter (less than half an inch) long.

Where Does It Grow?

Howell's yampah loves moist places. It is often found in the mountains of Oregon and northern California. It grows well in damp soils, especially close to streams and rivers. These wet environments provide the perfect conditions for the plant to thrive.