Sharsmith's stickseed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sharsmith's stickseed |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Hackelia
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| Species: |
sharsmithii
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Hackelia sharsmithii, also known as Sharsmith's stickseed, is a special flowering plant. It belongs to the borage family. This plant is found high up in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. It grows in rocky places, like slopes covered with loose rocks.
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Sharsmith's Stickseed: A Mountain Plant
Sharsmith's stickseed is a fascinating plant that has adapted to live in tough mountain environments. It's a type of herb, which means it doesn't have a woody stem like a tree or a bush.
Where Does Sharsmith's Stickseed Grow?
This unique plant is native to the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. You can find it along the high ridges where Inyo, Fresno, and Tulare Counties meet. It even grows near famous peaks like Mount Whitney! This plant loves rocky homes, especially areas with lots of loose stones and broken rocks, which scientists call "talus" or "scree".
What Does Sharsmith's Stickseed Look Like?
Sharsmith's stickseed is a perennial herb, meaning it lives for many years. It can grow up to about 30 centimeters (about 12 inches) tall. The plant is covered in tiny hairs, which might help it survive in its rocky home.
Leaves and Stems
Most of the plant's leaves are found around its base, close to the ground. These leaves can be quite long, up to 14 centimeters (about 5.5 inches). Leaves that grow higher up on the stem are usually shorter and narrower.
Flowers and Fruits
The flowers of Sharsmith's stickseed grow in an open cluster called an inflorescence. This cluster has many branches, and each branch is a curling bunch of light blue flowers. After the flowers bloom, they turn into fruits. These fruits are small clusters of tiny, dry parts called nutlets. Sometimes, these nutlets have small, sharp prickles on them.
