Valley popcornflower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Valley popcornflower |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Plagiobothrys
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| Species: |
canescens
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The Plagiobothrys canescens, also known as the valley popcornflower, is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the borage family, which includes many plants with hairy leaves and unique flowers. This plant is a wildflower that grows for one year.
About the Valley Popcornflower
The valley popcornflower is a special plant because it is endemic to California. This means it naturally grows only in California and nowhere else in the world! It is a common sight in many parts of the state.
Where It Grows
You can find the valley popcornflower in many different places across central and southern California. It likes to grow in:
- Valleys
- Foothills (the low hills at the base of mountains)
- Deserts
- Along the coastline
- In canyons
It's a tough little plant that can thrive in various habitats!
What It Looks Like
The valley popcornflower is an annual herb, meaning it completes its entire life cycle in just one year.
- Size and Shape: Its stem can grow from about 10 to 60 centimeters long. That's like the length of a ruler or a bit longer! The stem can either spread out along the ground or stand up straight.
- Leaves: Most of its leaves grow in a circle close to the ground, like a small mat. These are called basal leaves. Smaller leaves can also be found along the stem.
- Texture: The whole plant is covered in long, rough hairs. Sometimes it even has stiff bristles, which are like tiny, sharp hairs.
- Color: The plant often has purple edges and veins, giving it a unique look. If you crush it, a purple juice might come out!
- Flowers: The plant produces many tiny white flowers in a group called an inflorescence. Each flower has five small petals, forming a shape called a corolla. These flowers are very small, only about 2 to 3 millimeters wide. They are often found with hairy bracts, which are like small, modified leaves near the flowers.
- Fruit: After the flowers bloom, the plant produces small, rounded fruits called nutlets. These nutlets are no more than 2 millimeters long and have a bumpy texture with small ridges across them.
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Valley popcornflower Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.