Twoflower pea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Twoflower pea |
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The Lathyrus biflorus, also known as the twoflower pea, is a very rare type of wild pea. This special plant grows only in a small area of Humboldt County, California. It is found specifically in the Mount Lassic Wilderness. The twoflower pea is a small plant that grows year after year. It is part of a group of plants that like to grow in a special type of ground called serpentine soil.
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Discovering the Twoflower Pea
The twoflower pea was officially described in 1983 by T.W. Nelson and J.P. Nelson. They are the scientists who gave it its scientific name, Lathyrus biflorus. Finding and naming new species helps us understand all the different living things on Earth.
Where Does It Live?
This plant is endemic to a very specific place. This means it naturally grows only in that one spot and nowhere else in the world! For the twoflower pea, that special home is the Mount Lassic Wilderness in Humboldt County, California. It loves the unique conditions found in serpentine soils there.
What Does the Twoflower Pea Look Like?
The twoflower pea is a petite, or small, plant. It has thin, but tough, stems that feel a bit fuzzy.
Leaves and Tendrils
Its leaves are interesting. Each leaf is made up of two pairs of small, narrow leaflets. Think of them like tiny, thin leaves joined together. The plant also has very small, bristle-like tendrils. Tendrils are like tiny curly wires that help the plant grab onto things and climb.
Flowers and Fruit
The plant's flowers grow in a group called an inflorescence. Each inflorescence usually has two greenish-white pea flowers. These flowers are quite small, about one centimeter wide. After the flowers bloom, they turn into a fruit. This fruit is a smooth, hairless pod called a dehiscent legume pod. "Dehiscent" means the pod splits open when it's ripe to release its seeds.
Why is This Plant Important?
The twoflower pea is considered a critically endangered plant in California. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever. Protecting plants like the twoflower pea helps keep our planet's natural world healthy and diverse. Scientists and conservationists work hard to make sure these rare plants can continue to grow and thrive.
