Silky horkelia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Silky horkelia |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Horkelia
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| Species: |
sericata
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Horkelia sericata is a beautiful flowering plant. It is also known as silky horkelia or Howell's horkelia. This plant belongs to the rose family, which includes many well-known plants like roses and apples!
Contents
Silky Horkelia: A Unique Plant
Where Does Silky Horkelia Live?
This plant grows naturally in the Klamath Mountains. These mountains are found in northern California and southern Oregon. Silky horkelia likes to grow in special places. You can find it in areas called chaparral and in forests.
What is Serpentine Soil?
Often, this plant grows in a special type of ground called serpentine soil. This soil is unique because it has high levels of certain minerals. Not many plants can grow well in serpentine soil, but silky horkelia thrives there!
What Does Silky Horkelia Look Like?
Silky horkelia is a perennial herb. This means it is a plant that lives for more than two years. It grows in small groups or "tufts" of leaves and stems. The stems stand upright.
Its Leaves and Stems
The leaves of this plant are usually 3 to 15 centimeters long. That's about the length of a crayon! Each leaf is made up of many small leaflets. These leaflets are packed together in a pattern that looks like a herringbone design. The leaflets are green, but they have long, soft white hairs. These hairs make the plant look silvery green.
The stems can grow up to 50 centimeters long. That's about half a meter! They can be green, brown, or reddish in color.
The Flowers of Silky Horkelia
The stems hold loose groups of many flowers. These groups are called inflorescences. Each flower has small green parts called sepals. These sepals are covered in lots of white hairs, just like the leaves. The petals of the flower are white. Sometimes, they have a hint of pink. The tips of the petals are split into two parts, which gives them a unique look.
