Roundleaf stork's bill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Roundleaf stork's bill |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
California
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| Species: |
macrophylla
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| Synonyms | |
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Erodium macrophyllum Hook. & Arn. |
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The California macrophylla, also known as the roundleaf stork's bill, is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the geranium family, called Geraniaceae. This plant used to be part of the Erodium group. But later, scientists decided it was special enough to have its own group, called a monotypic genus, named California. This means it's the only plant in that specific group.
Contents
What Does the Roundleaf Stork's Bill Look Like?
The roundleaf stork's bill is a small plant that grows each year. It is found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. You can often see it growing in open areas like grasslands or scrublands.
Plant Size and Leaves
This plant usually grows only a few centimeters (about 1 inch) tall. It forms a small cluster of leaves close to the ground. The leaves are slightly rounded or shaped like a kidney. They grow on long, thin stalks called petioles. The top side of the leaves is green, and the bottom side is purple. As the leaves get older, they often develop clear red veins, which are like tiny plant "veins."
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers of the roundleaf stork's bill grow in a delicate cluster called an umbel. Each flower has petals that are about 1 centimeter (0.4 inches) long. They are usually white, but sometimes they can have a pink or purplish tint. These petals are very fragile and can break off easily. Because of this, the flowers rarely stay perfect for more than a day. After the flower, a fruit forms. It has a fuzzy base and a long, thin part called a style, which can grow up to 5 centimeters (2 inches) long.
Where Does It Grow?
This plant is native to dry, open areas in the southwestern parts of the United States and northern Mexico. It prefers places where it can get plenty of sunlight, such as:
- Grasslands
- Scrublands
- Open fields
See also
In Spanish: California macrophylla para niños
