Panamint princesplume facts for kids

Stanleya elata, also known as the Panamint princesplume, is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the Brassicaceae family, which is also called the mustard family. This plant grows mostly in the dry, rocky mountains of eastern California and western Nevada. You might also find it in Arizona.

Discovering the Panamint Princesplume

The Panamint princesplume is a special plant. It is known for its tall stems and bright flowers. This plant is well-suited for its dry home. It can grow up to about 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall.

Where the Princesplume Lives

The Panamint princesplume loves tough places. It grows in desert mountains. You can find it in rocky areas and places with lots of scrubby bushes. These areas are often very dry. It is a plant that lives for many years.

What the Plant Looks Like

This plant can grow quite tall. It usually has one or more straight stems. These stems are smooth and often feel a bit waxy. This waxy coating helps the plant save water.

Its Leaves

The leaves of the princesplume are thick and feel like leather. They can be up to 15 centimeters (6 inches) long. Their shape is like a spear or a long oval. The edges of the leaves can be smooth or have small teeth. Each leaf has a small stem that connects it to the main plant.

Flowers and Fruits

At the top of the stem, you will find many flowers. They grow in a long, dense cluster. This cluster looks like a winding snake.

The Flowers

Each flower has four thin petals. These petals are yellow or whitish in color. They are about one centimeter (less than half an inch) long. They are also very narrow, only about a millimeter wide.

The Fruits

After the flowers bloom, the plant makes fruits. These fruits are long and thin. They look a bit like worms. They can grow up to 10 centimeters (4 inches) long. Inside these fruits are many tiny seeds. These seeds will grow into new Panamint princesplume plants.