Scalepod facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Scalepod
Idahoa scapigera in Wenas Wildlife Area
Scientific classification
Genus:	Idahoa
Species:	scapigera

Idahoa scapigera is a small plant. It is the only species in its group, called a monotypic genus. This plant belongs to the Brassicaceae family, which includes plants like cabbage and broccoli. People often call it scalepod or oldstem idahoa.

This plant grows naturally in western North America. You can find it from British Columbia in Canada down to California in the United States. It also grows east to Montana. It usually lives in mountains and foothills.

What Does Idahoa Scapigera Look Like?

Idahoa scapigera is an annual herb. This means it completes its whole life cycle in one year. It starts growing from a group of leaves at its base. This group is called a basal rosette.

Leaves and Stems

The leaves are small, about 1 to 3 centimeters long. They have stalks, known as petioles. The edges of the leaves can be smooth or slightly wavy. Thin stems grow straight up from the plant's base. These stems do not have leaves and can reach about 10 centimeters tall.

Flowers and Fruit

Each stem has one tiny flower at the top. The flowers have white petals. Below the petals are red-purple sepals. Sepals are like small leaves that protect the flower bud.

After the flower blooms, it forms a fruit. This fruit is a flat, round, or slightly oval capsule. It measures about 6 to 12 millimeters wide. When it is fresh, the fruit is green. As it dries, it turns a papery gray or white color.

Where Idahoa Scapigera Grows

This plant prefers the higher grounds of western North America. It thrives in the rocky and open areas of mountains. You can often spot it in the lower parts of mountains, known as foothills. Its ability to grow in these areas shows it is well-adapted to different conditions.

See also

In Spanish: Idahoa para niños

Images for kids

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  Idahoa scapigera in Wenas Wildlife Area