Western rockjasmine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Western rockjasmine |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Androsace
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| Species: |
occidentalis
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| Synonyms | |
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Androsace arizonica |
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The Androsace occidentalis, also called the western rockjasmine, is a small flowering plant. It belongs to the primrose family. This plant is known for its tiny, pretty flowers.
You can find the western rockjasmine in many parts of Canada and the United States. It grows from the Great Lakes region down to Texas. It also spreads west across the Great Plains to states like Idaho, Utah, and California's Sierra Nevada mountains.
This plant likes to grow in open places. You might see it in prairies and meadows, especially where the ground is a bit moist. It often grows in mountain forests too.
What Does Western Rockjasmine Look Like?
The Androsace occidentalis is a very small plant. It is an annual herb, which means it lives for only one growing season. It usually grows to be about 7 centimeters (about 3 inches) tall.
Leaves and Stems
The plant has a group of leaves at its base. These leaves are oblong, which means they are longer than they are wide. They are also a bit hairy and are usually only one or two centimeters long.
From the center of these leaves, a thin, bare stem grows straight up. This stem is called a peduncle.
Flowers of the Western Rockjasmine
At the top of the stem, there is a cluster of tiny flowers. This cluster is called an umbel. An umbel looks like the ribs of an umbrella, with all the flower stalks coming from one point.
Each umbel has about 5 to 10 small flowers. Each flower sits on its own little stalk, called a pedicel, which can be up to 3 centimeters long. The flowers have five petals that are usually white or light pink. These petals form a cup shape. Below the petals, there is a cup made of pointed, reddish parts called sepals.
