Abajo fleabane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Abajo fleabane |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Erigeron
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| Species: |
abajoensis
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| Synonyms | |
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The Abajo fleabane (scientific name: Erigeron abajoensis) is a type of fleabane plant. It belongs to the daisy family, just like sunflowers and dandelions! This plant is special because it grows naturally in the western United States.
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Where the Abajo Fleabane Lives
The Abajo fleabane is found mostly in Utah. You can also find it in nearby states like Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. This plant loves sunny, dry places. It often grows on rocky hillsides.
High-Up Homes
These plants like to live high up in the mountains. They grow at elevations from about 2,270 to 3,400 meters (which is about 7,550 to 11,350 feet) above sea level. That's really high, even taller than many mountains!
What the Abajo Fleabane Looks Like
The Abajo fleabane is a small plant. It usually grows to be about 5 to 25 centimeters (2 to 10 inches) tall. This means it's a short plant, often no taller than a pencil. It is a perennial plant, which means it lives for more than two years. It comes back to life each spring after winter.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of the Abajo fleabane are long and narrow. They are wider at the top and get thinner towards the bottom. These leaves grow at the base of the plant's stem. They also have stiff, straight hairs on them.
The plant produces pretty flower heads. Sometimes, you'll see just one flower head. Other times, they grow in small groups of three or four. Each flower head can have up to 60 "petals," which are actually called ray florets. These can be blue, pink, or white. In the center, there are many small yellow flowers called disc florets. All these beautiful flowers bloom during the summer.
Naming the Plant
The Abajo fleabane gets its name from a special place. It is named after the Abajo Mountains in southern Utah. This is one of the main areas where the plant grows.
