Santa Rita mountain yellowshow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Santa Rita mountain yellowshow |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Amoreuxia
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| Species: |
gonzalezii
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Amoreuxia gonzalezii is a special kind of flowering plant. People call it the Santa Rita mountain yellowshow or Santa Rita throwup weed. In Mexico, it's known as saiya and temaqui. This plant is quite rare.
It grows naturally in Sonora, Mexico. You can also find it just across the border in Arizona, United States. Specifically, it lives in the Santa Rita Mountains in Pima and Santa Cruz Counties. It has also been seen further south in Mexico, in the states of Sinaloa and Jalisco.
Contents
What Does Amoreuxia gonzalezii Look Like?
This plant is a perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years. Its stems can grow to be about 25 to 35 centimeters long. That's like the length of a standard ruler! These stems grow from a root that looks like a tuber, similar to a potato.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of Amoreuxia gonzalezii are dark green. They are deeply divided into 5 to 7 parts, like fingers on a hand. Each leaf can be about 3 to 6 centimeters wide.
The flowers are very pretty and quite large. They measure 6 to 8 centimeters across. Each flower has five orange petals. At the bottom of each petal, there are dark red-brown spots. These flowers have a unique habit: they close up during the daytime.
Blooming and Fruit
Amoreuxia gonzalezii blooms from July through September. After the flowers, the plant grows a hanging fruit. This fruit can be up to 8 centimeters long. Inside, you'll find small, round, brown seeds. This plant looks a lot like another species called Amoreuxia palmatifida.
Where Does Amoreuxia gonzalezii Live?
This plant likes to grow in a special area. It's found where the desert scrub meets grassland. In the Santa Rita Mountains, it grows on limestone talus. Talus is a slope made of broken rocks. In Mexico, it has been found growing on granite rocks.
Plant Neighbors
Many other plants share the habitat with Amoreuxia gonzalezii. Some of its plant neighbors include:
- Eysenhardtia
- Erythrina
- Cercidium floridum
- Tecoma
- Agave schottii
- Heteropogon
- Fouquieria
- Calliandra
- Opuntia species
- Krameria
- Janusia gracilis
- Agave palmeri
- Hibiscus coulteri
