Tolmiea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tolmiea |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Saxifragales |
| Family: | Saxifragaceae |
| Genus: | Tolmiea Torr. & Gray |
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2, see text |
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Tolmiea is a small group of plants that have flowers. These plants are found in western North America. There are two types, or species, of Tolmiea. One common name for these plants is "piggyback plant." This is because new little plants often grow right on the leaves of the parent plant.
For a long time, people thought there was only one species of Tolmiea. This is called being "monotypic." But scientists later found that there were actually two different species. They separated one type, called T. diplomenziesii, from the other, T. menziesii. The main difference is in their chromosomes. T. diplomenziesii has two sets of chromosomes (diploid), while T. menziesii has four sets (tetraploid).
The name Tolmiea was given to honor William Fraser Tolmie. He was a Scottish-Canadian botanist. A botanist is a scientist who studies plants.
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Types of Tolmiea Plants
There are two known species in the Tolmiea group:
- Tolmiea diplomenziesii
- Tolmiea menziesii
Where Tolmiea Plants Grow
These plants are native to the western parts of North America. You can find them growing in damp, shady forests. They often grow on the forest floor. They like places where the soil stays moist.
What Tolmiea Plants Look Like
Tolmiea plants have soft, hairy leaves. The leaves are often heart-shaped or kidney-shaped. They grow in a cluster close to the ground. The most interesting feature is how they reproduce. Small plantlets grow right on the surface of the older leaves. These plantlets look like tiny versions of the main plant.
How Tolmiea Plants Reproduce
The way new plants grow on the leaves is very special. These little plantlets can drop off the parent leaf. If they land on moist soil, they can grow into a new, independent plant. This is a type of asexual reproduction. It means they don't need seeds to make new plants. They also produce small, brownish-green flowers on a tall stalk. These flowers can produce seeds for sexual reproduction.
Tolmiea as a Houseplant
Because of their unique way of growing new plants, Tolmiea plants are popular houseplants. They are often called "piggyback plants" or "mother of thousands." They are easy to care for indoors. They prefer indirect light and moist soil. They are a fun plant for kids to grow. You can even "plant" the little plantlets that grow on the leaves.
