White fairypoppy facts for kids
The white fairypoppy (Meconella oregana) is a small, delicate wild plant. It is a type of poppy that grows in parts of North America. You can find it in the western United States and Canada. This pretty plant is known for its tiny white flowers.
Quick facts for kids White fairypoppy |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Meconella
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| Species: |
oregana
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| Synonyms | |
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Platystigma oreganum (Nutt.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex S.Watson |
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Contents
Discovering the White Fairypoppy
The white fairypoppy is a unique plant. Its scientific name is Meconella oregana. This name helps scientists around the world know exactly which plant they are talking about. It is part of the poppy family, which includes many beautiful flowers.
Where the Fairypoppy Grows
This special plant lives in several places. You can find it naturally in Oregon, California, and Washington in the USA. It also grows in British Columbia, Canada. The white fairypoppy likes specific types of places. It often grows on sandy bluffs. These are like small cliffs made of sand. It also likes open meadows. These are grassy fields. Sometimes, you can find it near stream banks. These are the edges of small rivers or creeks. It usually grows in areas that are not very high up. It prefers places less than 300 meters (about 1,000 feet) above sea level.
What the Fairypoppy Looks Like
The Meconella oregana is a very small plant. It is a type of herb. It usually grows to be less than 16 centimeters (about 6 inches) tall. That's shorter than a standard pencil! Its leaves are narrow and long. They can be up to 18 millimeters (about 0.7 inches) in length. This is less than an inch.
Its Delicate Flowers
The flowers of the white fairypoppy are quite special. Each flower grows alone on a long, thin stem. They are a beautiful white color. If you look closely, you will see small parts inside the flower called stamens. These are important for the plant's reproduction. The white fairypoppy usually has 4 to 6 stamens. This is a way to tell it apart from a similar plant. For example, another type of fairypoppy, M. californica, has more stamens. It has 8 to 12 stamens.
Life Cycle of the Fairypoppy
Like many plants, the white fairypoppy has a life cycle. It grows from a seed. Then it produces its small leaves and stems. When it is ready, it blooms with its white flowers. These flowers help the plant make new seeds. The seeds then fall to the ground. They can grow into new plants the next season. This cycle helps the white fairypoppy continue to grow in its natural habitats.
