Violet suksdorfia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Violet suksdorfia |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Suksdorfia
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| Species: |
violacea
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The Suksdorfia violacea is a special kind of flowering plant. People often call it the violet suksdorfia because of its pretty purple flowers. This plant is part of the saxifrage family. It's not very common to find.
In 1879, a famous scientist named Asa Gray gave this plant its name. He named the group of plants, called a genus, Suksdorfia after Wilhelm Nikolaus Suksdorf. Mr. Suksdorf was the first person to collect a sample of this plant in 1878. He found it near Mount Adams in Washington state. He then sent it to Asa Gray for help figuring out what it was. Gray and Suksdorf worked together for a long time. Gray often named new plants that Suksdorf discovered. Today, experts say this plant is "Apparently Secure," which means it's not in immediate danger of disappearing.
How it Got its Name
Suksdorfia violacea is the main example for its plant group, or "genus." Asa Gray chose to name this group after Wilhelm Suksdorf. There was an older name for a similar plant group, Hemieva, but it wasn't as well known. Scientists decided to keep Suksdorfia as the official name. So, even though Hemieva violacea was once used, Suksdorfia violacea is now the correct name for this plant.
Where it Grows and What it Looks Like
You can find the violet suksdorfia in several places. It grows in Washington, British Columbia, Oregon, Alberta, Montana, and Idaho. It is most common in Washington and the southeastern part of British Columbia. This plant likes damp places. It often grows near rocks, in small cracks, on ledges, or even near fences.
The violet suksdorfia is a perennial plant. This means it lives for more than two years. It grows from underground stems called rhizomes. Its leaves are rounded and have long stems. Each leaf is about 1 to 2.5 centimeters (0.4 to 1 inch) wide.
The flower of the violet suksdorfia is quite unique. It has a slender, bell-shaped base. The flower itself has five purple parts, shaped like long, thin petals. It also has five stamens, which are the parts that hold pollen. The fruits of the plant are small, about 4 to 6 millimeters (0.16 to 0.24 inches) long. Inside, they have tiny brown seeds, only about 0.5 millimeters (0.02 inches) across. These plants usually grow in small groups. They reach a height of about 10 to 20 centimeters (4 to 8 inches). You can find them at lower elevations.
