Scott Valley phacelia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scott Valley phacelia |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Phacelia
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| Species: |
greenee
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Phacelia greenei, also known as the Scott Valley phacelia, is a special type of wild flower. It's a small plant that grows only in a specific area of northern California. Think of it like a rare treasure found only in one place!
Contents
Discovering the Scott Valley Phacelia
Where Does This Special Plant Live?
The Scott Valley phacelia is a plant that is endemic to a small area. This means it grows naturally only in one place in the world. For this plant, that place is the southern Klamath Mountains in northern California. Specifically, it's found in and around a spot called Scott Valley. This valley is famous for growing a plant called alfalfa.
This phacelia loves to grow in a unique type of soil called serpentine soil. This soil is special because it has a lot of certain minerals and not much of others. It's often found in the coniferous forests of these mountains.
What Does the Scott Valley Phacelia Look Like?
This plant is an annual herb, which means it grows from a seed, flowers, produces seeds, and then dies all within one year. Its stem can be straight or have branches, and it usually grows to be about 15 centimeters (about 6 inches) tall. That's not much taller than a pencil!
The plant feels a bit sticky and is covered in tiny hairs called trichomes. Its leaves are long and narrow, shaped like a spear, and can be up to 3 centimeters (about 1 inch) long. They grow in an alternating pattern along the stem.
The Flowers of Phacelia greenei
The flowers grow in a cluster called an inflorescence. This cluster is hairy and curves or coils to one side. Each flower is small, only about half a centimeter long. They have five lobes, which are like small petals. The flowers are a beautiful deep purple or blue color. In the center, they have a white or yellowish tube-shaped throat.
When Does the Scott Valley Phacelia Bloom?
This pretty herb starts to show its colorful flowers in April. It continues to bloom through the spring season. By June, its blooming period is usually over.
