Fetid adderstongue facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fetid adderstongue |
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| Fetid adder's tongue Scoliopus bigelovii |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Liliales |
| Family: | Liliaceae |
| Subfamily: | Streptopoideae |
| Genus: | Scoliopus Torr. |
| Species | |
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Scoliopus bigelovii |
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Scoliopus, also known as fetid adderstongue, is a small group of plants in the Liliaceae family, which includes lilies. There are two types, or species: Scoliopus bigelovii and S. hallii. Both grow in shady forests, mostly along the coast of the western United States. You can find them from central California up to northern Oregon.
The name "Scoliopus" comes from ancient Greek words. Skolios means "curved," and pous means "foot." This name describes the plant's flower stalk, called a pedicel, which bends and twists. Scientists who study plants, called taxonomists, think Scoliopus is related to plants like Calochortus and Streptopus. These plants all have underground stems that spread, called rhizomes, and flower parts called styles that split at the end.
What Does it Look Like?
Scoliopus plants have two spotted leaves at their base. They also have a long, bending flower stalk, or pedicel. As the plant grows, this stalk twists and bends until its fruit touches the ground.
The flowers bloom in late winter and early spring. They are usually pale green or yellow. Each flower has thin purple or dark brown lines. They have wide outer leaf-like parts called sepals and narrower inner parts called petals. Inside, there are three stamens (which make pollen) and a three-sided ovary (where seeds form).
The flowers produce a sweet liquid called nectar. This nectar attracts insects, which crawl around inside the flower. As they move, pollen usually sticks to their backs. Tiny insects called fungus gnats are the main helpers for Scoliopus bigelovii to spread its pollen.
A botanist named John Thomas Howell once wrote about S. bigelovii. He said its flowers have a "bad smell" and pop out from two tightly rolled leaves. He also noted that by the time the leaves fully open, the first fruits are already forming on the long, twisting stalks.
Different Kinds of Scoliopus
The two species of Scoliopus are different in two main ways: their flower color and where they grow.
- S. bigelovii has greenish flowers. It grows in California, from San Luis Obispo County up to Humboldt County.
- S. hallii has grayish-yellow flowers. It grows in Oregon, often near streams. You can find it on the western slopes of the Cascades mountains and in Oregon's coastal mountains. Its range goes from near Oregon's southern border up to Tillamook County.
See also
In Spanish: Scoliopus para niños
