Triplasis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Triplasis |
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| Triplasis purpurea | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Chloridoideae |
| Tribe: | Cynodonteae |
| Subtribe: | Gouiniinae |
| Genus: | Triplasis P.Beauv. |
| Type species | |
| Triplasis americana P.Beauv
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Triplasis is a group of plants found in North America. These plants are part of the grass family, which includes many common grasses. A simple name for plants in this group is Sandgrass. The name Triplasis comes from a Greek word meaning "threefold." This name refers to a special part of the plant's flower, called a lemma, which has three veins or lines.
What Are Triplasis Plants Like?
These plants are usually thin and grow in clumps. Some Triplasis plants live for only one year (these are called annuals), while others live for many years (these are called perennials). Their leaves are short and thin.
Flowers and Seeds
The plants have small, open clusters of purplish flowers called panicles. These flower clusters grow at the top of the plant's main stems, which are called culms. Sometimes, you can find hidden flower clusters in the "armpits" of the leaves, where the leaf meets the stem. These hidden flowers are called cleistogamous panicles, and they can produce seeds without opening up or being pollinated from outside.
The flowers of Triplasis plants are grouped into small units called spikelets. Each spikelet has only a few flowers, which are spaced out. The thin central stalk that holds the flowers is called a rachilla. This stalk is round and breaks apart easily above the glumes (small leaf-like structures at the base of the spikelet) and between the individual flowers. The lemmas, which are part of each flower, are narrow and have three veins and two small tips.
Types of Triplasis Plants
The Triplasis group includes a few different kinds of plants. The main ones are:
- Triplasis americana P.Beauv.
- Triplasis purpurea (Walter) Chapm.
Some plants that used to be in the Triplasis group have now been moved to other groups. For example:
- Triplasis setacea is now known as Tripogon spicatus.
See also
In Spanish: Triplasis para niños
