Schoenocaulon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Schoenocaulon |
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| Schoenocaulon officinale | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Liliales |
| Family: | Melanthiaceae |
| Tribe: | Melanthieae |
| Genus: | Schoenocaulon A.Gray |
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Schoenocaulon is a group of plants often called Feathershank. One special type, S. officinale, is also known as Sabadilla (say: sab-uh-DIL-uh). These plants are found in many places, from the southern United States all the way down to Peru.
Feathershank plants are flowering plants that grow back every year. They are part of a plant family called Melanthiaceae. Unlike some other plants in this family, Feathershank flowers grow in a tall, narrow cluster, almost like a spike. The flowers might have very short stems or no stems at all.
Where Feathershank Plants Live
These plants usually grow in places like chaparral (which are areas with shrubs and small trees), or in forests with oak and pine trees. Sometimes, when animals eat too many of these plants, they can only be found in steep, rocky areas where animals can't easily reach them.
Mexico is a very important place for Feathershank plants. It has 22 types of Schoenocaulon that are found nowhere else in the world! Some of these types only grow in one specific mountain range.
Two types of Feathershank, S. yucatanense and S. officinale (Sabadilla), are found in many places. Scientists think that ancient people might have helped spread their seeds. They used the seeds of S. officinale as a natural way to keep bugs away, like a pesticide.
What Feathershank Plants Look Like
The flowers of Feathershank plants come in different colors. Green is the most common color for their petals and sepals (which are like small leaves that protect the flower bud). But you can also find them in maroon, cream, and even bright red!
Images for kids
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Schoenocaulon officinale
See also
In Spanish: Schoenocaulon para niños
