Silver mousetail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Silver mousetail |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ivesia
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| Species: |
santolinoides
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Ivesia santolinoides is a type of flowering plant in the rose family. It has a few common names, like silver mousetail, stellariopsis, Sierra mousetail, and mousetail ivesia. This plant is special because it is found only in California, USA. It grows in several mountain ranges there, including the Sierra Nevada and the Transverse Ranges. When a plant or animal is found only in one specific area, we say it is endemic to that place.
What Does the Silver Mousetail Look Like?
The silver mousetail is a perennial herb. This means it's a plant without a woody stem that lives for more than two years. It can look a bit different from other plants in the Ivesia group, which are also called mousetails.
Leaves and Stems
Each leaf of the silver mousetail is made up of many tiny parts called leaflets. These leaflets are very small and grow close together. They form a fuzzy, tail-like shape that can be up to 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) long. This unique leaf shape is why it's called a "mousetail"!
The plant's stem grows straight up and doesn't have leaves on it. It can reach up to 40 centimeters (about 16 inches) tall. At the top of the stem, you'll find a group of flowers. This group of flowers on a stem is called an inflorescence.
Flowers and Their Parts
Each flower of the silver mousetail is about 8 millimeters (less than half an inch) wide. The flowers have large, round white petals. Below the petals are smaller, pointed parts called sepals. These sepals often look like small leaves that protect the flower bud before it opens.
Inside the flower, there are 15 stamens. Stamens are the male parts of the flower that produce pollen. There is also one pistil, which is the female part of the flower. The pistil is where the seeds will develop after the flower is pollinated.
