Hairy checkerbloom facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hairy checkerbloom
Scientific classification
Genus:	Sidalcea
Species:	hirsuta

The hairy checkerbloom (scientific name: Sidalcea hirsuta) is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the mallow family, which includes many well-known plants like cotton and hibiscus.

This special plant is endemic to California, meaning it grows naturally only in this state. You can find it in places that get wet during certain times of the year, like vernal pools. It lives in the north-central parts of California, including the North California Coast Ranges, the Sacramento Valley and San Joaquin Valley, and the Sierra Nevada foothills.

What Does Hairy Checkerbloom Look Like?

The hairy checkerbloom is an annual herb. This means it grows from a seed, flowers, produces new seeds, and then dies all within one year.

Plant Structure and Size

It grows a thick stem that can reach up to 80 centimeters (about 31 inches) tall. The upper parts of the stem are covered in stiff, bristly hairs, which is how it gets its common name, "hairy checkerbloom."

Leaves and Flowers

The leaves of this plant are deeply divided. They look like they have many narrow, finger-like parts. These leaves are also covered in bristles, just like the stem.

The flowers grow in a tight bunch called an inflorescence. Each flower has pretty pink petals that can be up to 2.5 centimeters (about 1 inch) long. These bright pink flowers make the plant stand out in its natural habitat.