Tushar Mountain draba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tushar Mountain draba |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Draba
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| Species: |
ramulosa
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Draba ramulosa is a very special and rare flowering plant. It is often called Mt. Belknap draba or Tushar Mountain draba. This plant belongs to the Brassicaceae family, which also includes plants like broccoli and cabbage!
This unique plant grows only in Utah, a state in the United States. You can find it on just one mountain called Mt. Belknap. This mountain is part of the Tushar Mountains range, located in Beaver and Piute Counties. Because it grows only in this one small area, it is considered an endemic species.
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What Does Draba Ramulosa Look Like?
This plant is quite small. It has branches that spread out along the ground, forming a soft, grayish mat. These branches are a bit hairy.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of the Draba ramulosa are a gray-green color. They are also quite small, usually less than a centimeter (about half an inch) long.
When it blooms, the plant produces a cluster of up to 15 flowers. This cluster is called a raceme. Each flower has pale yellow petals. These petals are tiny, only about 3 or 4 millimeters long.
Blooming Season and Fruit
You can see Draba ramulosa blooming during the summer months, from June through August. After the flowers, the plant grows a fruit. This fruit is flat and oval-shaped, and it's called a silique.
Where Does Draba Ramulosa Live?
This special plant loves rocky places! It grows on the rocky slopes of Mt. Belknap in south-central Utah.
High Up in the Mountains
Draba ramulosa grows very high up in the mountains. It lives above the timberline, which is the elevation where trees stop growing because it's too cold and windy. You can find it at elevations between 3,350 and 3,660 meters (about 11,000 to 12,000 feet) above sea level. Imagine how tough this little plant must be to survive in such a high and rocky environment!
