Synthyris reniformis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Synthyris reniformis |
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Synthyris
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S. reniformis
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The snowqueen (scientific name: Synthyris reniformis) is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the Plantaginaceae family, which is also known as the plantain family. People often call it "snowqueen" because it's one of the very first wildflowers to bloom each year. You can spot its lovely flowers even in late winter!
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Discover the Snowqueen Plant
The snowqueen plant is a special kind of perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years. It comes back to life each spring. This small plant usually grows to be about 15 centimeters tall. That's about the length of a pencil!
Where the Snowqueen Lives
The snowqueen plant is native to the Pacific coast of the United States. You can find it growing from the Puget Sound area all the way down to the San Francisco Bay Area. It loves to live in forests. You will see it in coastal areas and also in hills and mountains further inland. It thrives in these natural, shady spots.
What the Snowqueen Looks Like
The snowqueen plant has unique features. It grows a group of leaves at its base. These leaves are shaped like hearts or kidneys. They are also a bit hairy and have small rounded edges, called lobes. Each leaf sits on a long stem called a petiole.
Snowqueen Flowers
The flowers of the snowqueen plant grow in a small cluster. This cluster is called a raceme. The flowers are usually pale blue, lavender, or almost white. Each flower is small, less than a centimeter long. They are shaped like tiny bells. The bell-shaped part spreads out into short lobes at the opening. Inside, you'll find two stamens. These are the parts of the flower that hold pollen. They have large anthers at their tips.
