Western grasswort facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Western grasswort
Scientific classification
Genus:	Lilaeopsis
Species:	occidentalis

Lilaeopsis occidentalis, also known as western grasswort, is a small flowering plant. It belongs to the Apiaceae family, which includes carrots and parsley. This plant grows naturally along the coast of western North America. You can find it from southern Alaska all the way down to California.

What is Western Grasswort?

Western grasswort is a type of perennial herb. This means it lives for many years. It grows in wet, salty, or slightly salty areas. These places are often called salt marshes or brackish marshes. They are usually found near the ocean.

How Does Western Grasswort Look?

This plant forms clumps of thin, stiff leaves. The leaves look a lot like grass. They can grow up to about 30 centimeters (about 12 inches) long. Western grasswort spreads using underground stems. These stems are called rhizomes. They help the plant form a network under the soil.

Its Life Cycle

Western grasswort produces tiny flowers. These flowers are very small. They grow in a cluster called an umbel. This umbel sits on a short stalk. After the flowers bloom, they turn into small, round fruits. These fruits are only about 1 or 2 millimeters wide.