Streptanthus longisiliquus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Streptanthus longisiliquus |
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Streptanthus
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longisiliquus
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The Streptanthus longisiliquus, also known as the long-fruit jewelflower, is a special kind of flowering plant. It belongs to the mustard family. Scientists first officially described this plant in 2007.
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About the Long-Fruit Jewelflower
This plant is endemic to northern California. This means it grows naturally only in that specific area. You can find it in Butte, Tehama, and Shasta Counties. It likes to live in forests and woodlands, especially in mountains and foothills.
What It Looks Like
The long-fruit jewelflower is a short-lived perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years but not forever. It grows a few stems that can reach up to 1.2 to 1.5 meters tall. That's about as tall as a person!
The plant is mostly smooth and hairless. However, you might find some light hairs on its flowers or on the stems of its leaves.
Its Leaves
The leaves at the bottom of the plant are shaped like ovals or spoons. They can be up to 10 centimeters long. Their edges are usually smooth.
Leaves higher up on the stem are oval or oblong. They do not have small stems (called petioles) connecting them to the main stem. Instead, their bases often wrap around the main stem.
Its Flowers and Fruit
The flowers of the long-fruit jewelflower grow along the upper part of the stem. Each flower has a bell-shaped part called a calyx. This calyx is yellow-green at the bottom and purplish at the tip. It is less than a centimeter long.
The petals that come out of the calyx are brownish or purplish. Their bases are usually greenish.
The Long Fruit
After the flowers bloom, they produce a special fruit. This fruit is a flattened, curving pod called a silique. It can be very long, even for a plant in the Streptanthus group. These fruits can grow up to 15 centimeters in length! This is why it's called the "long-fruit jewelflower."
