Saltugilia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saltugilia |
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| Saltugilia splendens ssp. grantii | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Polemoniaceae |
| Genus: | Saltugilia (V.E. Grant) L.A. Johnson |
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4, see text |
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| Synonyms | |
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Gilia sect. Saltugilia |
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Saltugilia is a group of flowering plants. They belong to the phlox family, which is called Polemoniaceae. These plants are often known as woodland gilias. There are four different types, or species, of Saltugilia. Two of these types grow only in California, United States. The other two types can be found in both California and Baja California, Mexico.
Scientists created this group in the year 2000. They separated three types of plants from the Gilia group. They did this based on how the plants are related to each other. They looked at the plants' DNA to help make this new group. Scientists also studied other things about the plants. They looked at their shapes, their pollen, and where they grow. Before 2000, Saltugilia was just a small part of the Gilia group. After the new group was made, a fourth type of Saltugilia was discovered in 2001.
Contents
What Are Woodland Gilias Like?
These plants are annual herbs. This means they grow, flower, and die within one year. They have single stems that can branch out. These stems grow from 15 to 100 centimeters tall. Most of their leaves grow in a circle around the bottom of the stem. This is called a basal rosette.
Most of the plant is covered with tiny hairs. These hairs have glands at their tips. The flowers grow in an open group of branches. Each branch holds single or paired flowers. The flowers are shaped like a funnel. They can be pink, lavender, blue, or white. The inside of the flower often has yellow spots. The parts of the flower that hold pollen are called stamens. The pollen from these plants is blue.
Types of Woodland Gilias
There are four main types of Saltugilia plants. Each one has its own special features and places where it grows.
Southern Gilia (Saltugilia australis)
- The southern gilia used to be called Gilia australis.
- It grows in the chaparral areas of southern California.
- You can also find it in Baja California, Mexico.
- Its flowers have white tubes and pink or blue petals.
Caraway-Leaved Woodland Gilia (Saltugilia caruifolia)
- This plant was once known as G. caruifolia.
- It grows in chaparral and forest areas.
- You can find it in southern California and Baja California.
- Its flowers are usually purple. Sometimes they have white centers.
Latimer's Woodland Gilia (Saltugilia latimeri)
- This type of gilia was separated from S. australis.
- It grows mostly in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties in California.
- It is a plant that grows only in California.
- Its flowers are purple with pink petals.
- This plant grows in desert areas.
Splendid Woodland Gilia (Saltugilia splendens)
- This plant was formerly called Gilia splendens.
- It is also known as S. grinnellii. Some scientists think S. grinnellii might be the correct name because it was named first.
- It grows only in the mountain ranges of southern California.
- There are two smaller types of this plant: ssp. grantii and ssp. splendens.
- This type has the largest flowers of all four. The flowers of ssp. grantii can be up to 3.6 centimeters long.
See also
In Spanish: Saltugilia para niños
