Curvepod yellowcress facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Curvepod yellowcress |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Rorippa
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| Species: |
curvisiliqua
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Rorippa curvisiliqua is a type of flowering plant in the Brassicaceae family, which is also known as the mustard family. Its common name is curvepod yellowcress.
This plant is native to western North America. You can find it growing from Alaska all the way down to California and as far east as Wyoming. It likes to grow in wet or moist places. This includes areas near lakes and rivers, in wet meadows, along roadsides, and on muddy flats.
What Does Curvepod Yellowcress Look Like?
Curvepod yellowcress can look quite different depending on where it grows. It can be an annual plant, meaning it lives for only one growing season. Or it can be a biennial plant, meaning it lives for two growing seasons. It's a type of herb, which means it has soft, green stems rather than woody ones like a tree.
Its stems can grow up to half a meter (about 20 inches) long. Some stems lie flat on the ground (called prostrate). Others stand upright (called erect).
The leaves of the plant can be up to 7 centimeters (about 3 inches) long. Their shape can vary a lot! Some leaves have smooth edges, while others are divided into different shapes, like small lobes.
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers of the curvepod yellowcress are tiny and yellow, only a few millimeters long. They grow in a long cluster called a raceme at the top of the stem. This cluster of flowers is also known as an inflorescence.
After the flowers bloom, they produce a fruit called a silique. A silique is a long, narrow pod. The size and shape of these pods can be different from plant to plant. Inside the silique, there are many very small seeds.
Scientists have divided this species into different types, called varieties. However, some experts are not sure if these divisions are truly helpful or correct.
