Whispering bells facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Whispering bells |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Emmenanthe
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| Species: |
penduliflora
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Whispering bells is a special wildflower. Its scientific name is Emmenanthe penduliflora. It's called "whispering bells" because of the sound its dry flowers make. This plant grows naturally in California. You can also find it in other parts of western North America. It is the only type of plant in its group, which is called a monotypic genus.
What Whispering Bells Look Like
Whispering bells are annual plants. This means they grow, flower, and die within one year. They have thick, fleshy leaves. These leaves release a sticky sap. This sap has a light smell, a bit like medicine.
The plant starts growing from a group of leaves close to the ground. This group looks like a circle and is called a basal rosette. These leaves have sharp, jagged edges.
The flowers grow in a cluster at the top of a stem. This cluster is called an inflorescence. Each flower hangs on a thin stalk. These stalks are called pedicels and are less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) long.
Each flower has five sepals and five petals. Sepals are like small leaves that protect the flower bud. The petals are usually yellow or pinkish. They form a bell shape.
After the flowers bloom, they dry out. They become light and feel like paper. When a gentle wind blows, these dry, hanging flowers rustle. This rustling sound is why the plant is named "whispering bells." Inside the dry flower, there is a fruit. It is about 1 centimeter (0.4 inches) wide.
Where Whispering Bells Live
You can often find whispering bells in dry areas. They especially like places that have recently had a fire. The heat and ash from burned plants might help their seeds sprout.
This flower is common in the chaparral ecosystem. A chaparral is a type of shrubland. It has many shrubs and small trees. These areas are very prone to wildfires. This means fires happen there often. The whispering bells are well-suited to grow back after a fire.
See also
In Spanish: Emmenanthe penduliflora para niños
