Roundleafed brookfoam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Roundleafed brookfoam |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Boykinia
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| Species: |
rotundifolia
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Boykinia rotundifolia, also known as roundleafed brookfoam, is a special kind of flowering plant. It belongs to the saxifrage family. This plant is quite rare and only grows in one specific place: Southern California. You can find it in cool, shady forests, usually close to streams in the mountains.
What is Roundleafed Brookfoam?
Roundleafed brookfoam is a perennial herb, which means it lives for more than two years. It grows from underground stems called rhizomes. These rhizomes help the plant spread and come back year after year.
Leaves and Stems
The leaves of the Boykinia rotundifolia can be quite large. Their main part, called the blade, can grow up to 30 centimeters (about 12 inches) long. These blades sit on long stalks called petioles, which can be up to 18 centimeters (about 7 inches) long. Each leaf has several rounded sections, or lobes, with small, dull teeth along their edges.
Flowers and How They Grow
The plant sends up a tall, thin stem that can reach up to a meter (about 3 feet) high. At the top of this stem is a cluster of many small white flowers. This cluster is called an inflorescence. Each tiny flower has five small, pointed parts called sepals, which protect the flower bud. It also has five larger, oval-shaped petals that give the flower its pretty look.
